Warnock hails QPR’s re-signing of Mackie
Neil Warnock believes QPR’s re-signing of Jamie Mackie will help to stabilise the club following their relegation back to the Championship.
Former Rangers boss Warnock took Mackie to Loftus Road in 2010 and the forward was a key player in the promotion-winning campaign that followed.
Mackie, 29, was brought back to west London this week after negotiating his release from Nottingham Forest.
“It’s absolutely the right thing to do,” said Warnock, who managed Rangers until January 2012.
“He’s a great player to have, not just on the pitch but also off it.”
Warnock on Mackie
“When you get relegated you need players who will come in and work hard for you and Jamie Mackie will always do that.
“He’s the ideal player in that sense and I felt it was a mistake to let him go in the first place.”
Mackie, who fell out of favour during Harry Redknapp’s time in charge at Rangers, struggled to make an impact at Forest and was loaned to Reading last season.
He returns to a club that is looking to rebuild under head coach Chris Ramsey and director of football Les Ferdinand following last season’s dire season in the top flight.
And Warnock insists Mackie can recapture the form he showed during his first spell at QPR.
“He’s not everyone’s cup of tea and you wouldn’t win promotion with 11 Jamie Mackies, but what he brings is invaluable,” Warnock said.
“He won’t always terrorise defenders in the Premier League but, in the Championship especially, he gives you so much in terms of commitment. What he doesn’t have is more than outweighed by what he brings.
“He’s a great player to have, not just on the pitch but also off it – he’s great in the dressing room and you need to have that.
“It didn’t really work out for him at Forest for whatever reason, but that can happen. He’s still a good player and getting him back was the right thing to do.
“I still think he’ll have that intensity about him. Jamie doesn’t really know any other way and will be the same until he hangs up his boots.
“The situation Les and Chris are in – they don’t have Championship experience – they’ll need people with that experience and Jamie gives them that. It’s a good move.
“It won’t be easy next season and I think the fans are realistic about that. The most important thing is to stay away from near the bottom and having a lad like Jamie will help them.”
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30/07/2015 @ 3:44 pm
73 years a Q.P.R supporter and will remain so but disappointed at the way Harry brought in rio Ferdinand and other past it players madness i think Ramsey the right man might take time but I have great faith in him and Lez to succeed this is my club since 1942 now 80 years how’s that for loyalty come on u Rs I love my club!!!