‘He was brilliant’ – QPR boss lauds Chris Willock following match-winning display against Rotherham

Marti Cifuentes sang the praises of Chris Willock after the attacking midfielder picked up a goal and an assist in QPR’s vital win against Rotherham United.

Willock led a second-half comeback for Rangers, as he set up substitute Paul Smyth to equalise on the hour mark after Tom Eaves’ opener for the visitors before smashing home his fourth goal of the season in the 75^th minute.

It was the first time the 26-year-old has found the net since December, and Cifuentes was delighted with his performance.

“He was brilliant,” he said. “He found good spaces. Still, in the first half, he was one of our best players, but perhaps it was more difficult because of the positions he was getting in.

“In the second half, the combinations he was making with Ilias [Chair] and Ken [Paal]… we know that when they play together they are very good, and I’m definitely very happy with him and for the performance.”

A half-time switch to move Willock to a more central position after starting the game on the right wing proved crucial, as it was from this position that he fired in the decisive goal.

Cifuentes can regularly be seen communicating with the Arsenal academy graduate from his technical area, but the QPR boss was unwilling to share his conversations with Willock.

“I will keep that for myself,” laughed the Spaniard.

“He’s a very good player but sometimes it is good to have him close [to me], let’s put it that way.”

PICTURE: ROB AVIS