Austin backed over ‘unprovoked’ Sullivan jibe

Chris Ramsey has insisted that Charlie Austin was right to hit back at David Sullivan’s comments about the QPR striker.

Austin scored twice in Rangers’ 4-2 win against Rotherham – 48 hours after issuing a statement in which he described Sullivan’s remarks as an “outrageous slur.”

West Ham co-chairman Sullivan suggested that signing him would be a risk because of Austin’s previous knee injury.

Rangers head coach Ramsey said: “Everyone at the club was disappointed about the comments.

“But Charlie knows if you’re going to be in the big time then people are going to be knocking you. He’s taken it on the chin.

“If you’re attacked from nowhere, out of the blue and unprovoked, you are going to defend yourself.

“He wants people to know that he’s fit. He scored another two goals and is running around like a two-year-old, so the comments seem to be unjust.

“But he’s reacted well today and he’s reacted well all season.”

Summer signing Tjaronn Chery also scored twice for the R’s, who sit sixth in the Championship.

Austin’s goals took his tally for the season to four and will inevitably increase speculation that he will be snapped up by a Premier League club before the transfer window closes.

But Ramsey says it is possible that the 26-year-old could stay – and still force his way into England boss Roy Hodgson’s squad for next year’s European Championships even if he is playing in the second tier.

“I hope he stays. No-one has given us any indication that we are going to lose him, but obviously there is speculation,” said Ramsey.

“Ambition is a big thing. When you’re a footballer you want to play at the highest level you can, and there are the Euros coming up.

“But Roy Hodgson has played players from the Championship before. Charlie might be better off staying here and scoring a hatful of goals.

“We hope he ends up staying here, scoring another 20 goals and possibly getting his move next season.”