McClaren hails Rangel after QPR draw

Steve McClaren hailed Angel Rangel after the veteran right-back scored both QPR goals in a 2-2 draw at Stoke.

The Rangers manager is desperate to keep Rangel, who was signed on a five-month contract in August as short-term cover while Darnell Furlong was out injured.

The club want to extend Rangel’s contract and there is an option in his current deal enabling him to stay.

DC United are interested in Rangel, who turns 36 next week, and his representatives have suggested that Championship clubs want to sign him in January.

Rangers believe the player will stay.

McClaren said: “We’ve got a stipulation where we can keep him.

“He’s got that option, it’s (about) whether he wants to stay with us or not.

“I think he’s been nothing short of a revelation – not just on the field, what a great lad off the field.”

Rangel put Rangers ahead at the Bet365 Stadium and netted a late equaliser after Stoke had hit back to lead 2-1.

It means McClaren’s side have lost just one of their past eight matches and three of their past 14 in the Championship.

“I thought we were excellent today,” McClaren said.

“It’s a tough place to come, with the quality Stoke have got. What pleased me most was the way we controlled the game.

“We started ever so well, played good football and got a goal. We then conceded against the run of play and it rocked us a bit, but in the second half we had the courage and the composure to play and we dominated.

“We conceded – again against the run of play – and the response from the team was tremendous.

“Whether we’d won, lost or drew today, what pleased me was the spirit and the courage to play.”