QPR boss Harry Redknapp says he does not regret publicly criticising Adel Taarabt after Sunday’s defeat against Liverpool.
Both men were given warning by chairman Tony Fernandes following an extraordinary public fall-out, which escalated after Rangers boss Redknapp claimed the player had been left out for the Liverpool game because he was “about three stone overweight” and unfit to play.
Redknapp, who sold Taarabt to Rangers while Tottenham boss, insisted his relationship with Fernandes had been unaffected by the furore and that he wanted to draw a line under the issue.
“I would like to apologise to the QPR supporters for the embarrassment this has caused.”
Tony Fernandes
And when asked whether he regretted speaking out, Redknapp said: “Not at all. I’ve been his biggest ally from about six years ago when I first went to Tottenham and he wasn’t allowed to train with the first team.
“I’ve been nothing but on his side. I’ve been the one person at this club sticking up for him and encouraging him to produce the kind of performances I know he’s capable of.
“I’ve been bang on his side. No-one could have been on his side more than I’ve been. What we need is him playing and I would love him to be fit.
“I’ve got coaches here who think I’m off my head for sticking with him. I think they’d have bombed him out ages ago but I haven’t.
“He has talent but is not producing it and he needs to for his own good and for the good of QPR.”
In response to Redknapp’s comments at the weekend, Taarabt claimed the manager did not attend training sessions and was looking to make excuses for bottom-of-the-table Rangers’ poor results.
Redknapp said: “I’m out on the training ground every single day and anyone that says I’m not, it’s a lie. It’s a blatant lie.”
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This post was last modified on 25/10/2014