Wallace: We are ready for derby clash

EXCLUSIVE BY YANN TEAR
yann@slpmedia.co.uk­

Tomorrow night’s derby may not quite be as white-hot as an Auld Firm clash, but QPR defender Lee Wallace can’t wait.

The 32-year-old Scot has had to be patient this season since his summer move south of the border because of injury, but he finally made his debut at Leeds two weeks ago before turning out in front of home fans for the first time in the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

Now, the former Glasgow Rangers captain, who knows all about derby days against Celtic, is raring to get stuck in at Craven Cottage in a west London derby.

“This week’s game is a great one to come back to after the break,” Wallace told the London Weekly News.

“I walked past Fulham’s stadium in the summer and I’ve heard a bit about its history. I know there is a rivalry there between the clubs and the atmosphere should be great.

“We know they’re a good side and will respect them, and we’ve trained to our optimum best to prepare for it.

“We understand the magnitude of a game like this and what it means to the fans and the intensity there will be, but you have to try and stay calm and focused as a player, and try and treat it as a normal game.

“We know Fulham won’t have Aleksandar Mitrovic playing but that makes no difference. I’m aware of Mitrovic and his qualities, but if he isn’t playing, it will provide an opportunity for another player, and we know they have a very strong squad. Whoever we are up against, we will be ready for it.”

Wallace continued: “It’s been a good few weeks for me, albeit the results weren’t quite what we wanted.

“For me to have put on the QPR shirt felt great. It took a bit longer than expected and it was embarrassing to pick up an injury just before the start of the season when I was trying to make an impression.

“I had a problem with my left calf and right hip but I’ve worked hard with the physios and had no problem since I started playing again and I’m staying on top of it. You have to keep up the recovery work when you reach my age.

“It’s great to be back in the rhythm of playing games. The international break probably came at the wrong time for me because I’m back playing now but at least I was able to get back to Scotland for a bit to spend some valuable time with the family.

“All is good now and it was fantastic to make my debut in a back three at Leeds in front of a big crowd against a team managed by Marcelo Bielsa, who I greatly admire.

“I really enjoyed the great atmosphere up there and I thought we did well in spells and if we can play like that, we will do well.

“Then I made my home debut and it was a great honour to finally turn out in front of our own fans in our stadium.”

Wallace admits it has been frustrating doing more watching than playing so far, but he has been getting to know his team-mates and likes what he sees so far. And he thinks he can make an invaluable contribution to a season of progress under Mark Warburton, who valued him as a key player during his time as Rangers boss.

“The manager clearly wants me to bring my experience and that’s not just about matches but also in terms of daily behaviour on the training ground,” he said.

“I’ve experienced good and bad times playing for a great club in Scotland which has helped mould me into the player I am and I will always be giving 100 per cent and hope that rubs off on the other players.

“You are always wary of going into a new dressing room but there’s a great spirit here and some outstanding potential – we just need to keep moving in the right direction.”