Ward: I guess I’m Skippy the Bush Kangeroo now
AUSTRALIAN Nick Ward celebrated scoring his first goal for QPR by doing a Skippy the Kangeroo routine in front of home supporters writes Mark O'Haire The 21-year-old just missed out on selection in the Australian World Cup squad but is delighted with his move to West London.
Ward said: \"It was pretty devestating missing out on the training squad. I wasn't expecting to be in the full squad but I thought I had a great chance after a good season. I was told I'd be there or there abouts but it wasn't to be.
\"But I'm delighted to be at QPR. They're a club I've known about for quite some time. I've always followed English football and I want to help us get back into the Premiership. I'm settling in very well and people have made me feel very welcome.\"
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Ward explained his goal celebration was for his two friends in the crowd and as a reaction to the banter he's received since arriving from Perth Glory.
He said: \"I had two Australian friends in the crowd and a lot of the coaches and players have been taking the micky about me being an Australian so I though I'd give them something to laugh about when I scored.
\"The coaches keep saying put another shrimp on the barbie' and g'day mate', the usual banter but I hit them back with my own lines and it's all good fun.
\"The celebration was mainly for my friends though and I've been told now I'm Skippy the Bush Kangeroo.\"
The Socceroo has set his sights high for the coming season and believes the current crop at Rangers can cause a few upsets this season.
\"It was good to get off the mark and get the first goal out of the way. It takes a bit of pressure off me and now I can relax a little when playing.
\"If you look at our first half performance we played really really well. If we can keep that play up, we'll do very well and can get to the playoffs.
\"Gary's signed some great players for us through the summer and he's just got Zesh Rehman and Dexter Blackstock in.
\"We're all hungry and young and want to do well for QPR.
\"If the players have hunger you're always going to be in with a chance and we showed against Leeds we have the correct attitute to pick up lost points.\"
Ward netted Rangers' second goal on Saturday as they got their first win of the season under their belts with a 2-0 victory over Southend.
Gary Waddock was understandly delighted after recording only his second win since taking charge in February.
He said: \"I haven't had that winning feeling too much since I took over. It has been a long six months but there has been a summer in between, I suppose.
\"It's been a good week after the draw we got against Leeds but it's important we build on this.\"
Waddock gave debuts to new signings Rehman and Blackstock and the pair played their full part in a first-half display that tore their visitors apart.
Waddock added: \"I was delighted with how the players fitted in. I want to be judged on the players I bring in and I want to play in a certain way. We did that in the first half but we need to play for the full 90 minutes, not just 45.\"
Rangers travel north this weekend to take on Preston.
