Austin: QPR’s Willock can be Premier League star

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Charlie Austin has tipped QPR team-mate Chris Willock to be a Premier League star.

Willock was once again impressive in the crucial 1-0 win over West Brom which took Rangers above the Baggies and into fourth spot, delivering a perfect cross into the box where Austin nodded home in the 89th minute to claim the points against his former club.


“I rate Chris highly, I really do,” Austin said.

“I was with him at West Brom but circumstances just didn’t work out for him there and he has come here and given himself a platform.”

Willock was previously at Arsenal along with his brother Joe, who last year made a big-money move to Newcastle.

And Austin believes that has given the QPR man an extra incentive.

He explained: “I jokingly say to him: ‘The best thing that has happened to you is your brother moving to Newcastle for £25m’.

“That has given him a kick up the backside and he has to be thinking ‘I want a bit of that.’

“He is so critical to us, he can play as a number eight and number 10 or as a central nine.

“He is someone who is going to have a great career and hopefully he can help us achieve what we all want to achieve.”

Austin’s goal at the weekend was his 62nd in 133 appearances for Rangers – and one of his most memorable.

“It’s probably up there with one of the most important ones I’ve scored, but nothing will be more important than the Wigan (2014 play-offs) goals,” he said.

“You look through a season at moments and it was definitely an important one for myself and the football club and my team-mates.

“To score in front of a packed Loft was an amazing feeling and when I was on the floor I was looking across to the linesman as I so didn’t want to see him put the flag up.

“Credit to all the fans and the West Brom fans that came down. Loftus Road when it is full like that it is a very good place to play football.”