QPR boss praises Austin and explains substitution

Chris Ramsey praised Charlie Austin after QPR’s Championship campaign began with a 2-0 defeat at Charlton.

Austin, widely tipped to move before the start of the season, started for Rangers at The Valley, where he struggled to make an impact and was substituted in the closing minutes.

But Ramsey insisted the striker deserved credit for the way he has conducted himself as speculation has continued over his future.

And the Rangers head coach added that a recent groin problem Austin has been nursing was a factor in the decision to take him off.

“He put himself about and unfortunately his shots didn’t come off,” said Ramsey.

“He missed a bit of pre-season and that was one of the reasons I took him off as a precaution. He looked like he’d over stetched.

“QPR fans have shown him fantastic support and QPR as a club have helped him get to the stage he is now.

“Knowing him as a man, he’ll want to repay that. So I’m not surprised [by Austin’s effort].”

Ramsey felt Rangers paid the price for missing chances, the best of which fell to Matt Phillips in the opening minute of the second half.

And he agreed that his team had been given a tough reintroduction to the Championship following last season’s relegation from the top flight.

“Very much so – and it was very disappointing really, because we started very well,” he said.

“We didn’t take our chances and that’s always going to come back to bite you.

“We had a chance early in the second half that I would have expected us to take, but we didn’t and then Charlton took their chances.

“Charlton are a very resilient side and I’m sure they’re happy they weathered the storm in the way they did.”

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