‘Proud’ Hasselbaink hails QPR youngsters

QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took heart from his team’s display against Sunderland, particularly the performances of young full-backs Niko Hamalainen and Osman Kakay.

The Premier League side won 2-1 at Loftus Road, where Paddy McNair scored twice after Sandro had given Rangers the lead.

Hamalainen, 20, made his senior debut for the club, while Kakay, 19, made only his second first-team appearance.

“It was a brilliant game and I’m proud of my players and how they produced that kind of display,” said Hasselbaink.

“We knew this would be a difficult game for us but we wanted to make it a difficult game for them and we did that.

“Let’s not forget that we played with a young left-back and a very young right-back.

“They are players we are trying to bring through and I must say they were absolutely magnificent.

“We had 11 good performances. I told the players that if we’re going to lose, this is how to lose.

“We showed hunger and commitment and we were almost there. Now we are going to keep on working and improving.

“I asked my players to give me a very difficult selection for the next games and that is what they have done.

“We were a little bit unlucky and I am pleased with how they performed tonight.”

With Sandro and Joel Lynch among those in the Rangers starting line-up to have had limited game time this season, and with the young players involved, Hasselbaink said he expected fatigue to be a factor.

He explained: “We always knew that after about 75 minutes certain players would run out of steam a bit and Sunderland would make it difficult for us.

“Sandro played very well but also ran out of steam because he has not got enough games under his belt.”