Captain Chair thought he was being dropped

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Ilias Chair has been in fine form for Rangers (Picture: Ian Randall | MI News)

Mick Beale has revealed Ilias Chair thought he was about to be dropped when the QPR boss told him he would captain the side at Sheffield United.

Chair was handed the armband at Bramall Lane for the first time, with skipper Stefan Johansen rested for the 1-0 victory over the league leaders.


“It was a hilarious conversation,” said Beale

“I’d been unhappy with some of the players before Bristol City.

“I had pulled in the four strikers and I gave them a bit of telling off because they lost in training and I wasn’t happy.

“So when when I asked to see him in 10 minutes before leaving (for Sheffield) he thought he was getting the tap on the shoulder to say he wasn’t playing.

“When I said he was captain he was delighted and it was a lovely moment.”

The 24-year-old Morocco international is one of the longest-serving players at the club, having joined Rangers in 2017.

Beale said he had no hesitation in making him captain ahead of the experienced Leon Balogun – or Jimmy Dunne and Sam Field, who have both previously led the team out.

“I see what he is around here. He is a wonderful personality and I trust him so much,” said Beale.

“He is an intelligent boy who lives for football and I just thought it was the right thing to do.

“I spoke to the staff and the easiest person in the world to give the armband to was Leon.

“But I know what Leon will give to me. Same with Sam Field, Jimmy or Seny (Dieng).

“I thought it was the right thing to do. He has been at the club a long time and we are trying to show the young lads in the academy they can go on and make a big impact.

“I said to him it wasn’t a token gesture, because I believe he does have leadership qualities.

“When we are under pressure he goes and gets the ball and his personality around the training ground every day is fantastic.

“There is a big thing about British coaches that we always give the captaincy to the centre-backs or hairy-chested centre midfielders.

“But that’s not such a big thing around the world, where number 10s are often captains, and there is no reason why he can’t be longer-term.”