Rangers boss Redknapp backs Ferdinand

Harry Redknapp has backed Rio Ferdinand in the wake of another poor defensive performance by QPR.

The 35-year-old centre-back was given problems by Peter Crouch in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Stoke at Loftus Road, where Rangers were once again unconvincing at the back.

But Redknapp insists he has no concerns about Ferdinand, who played under him as a youngster at West Ham and left Manchester United during the summer after 12 years at Old Trafford.

Redknapp was keen to sign Ferdinand
Redknapp was keen to sign Ferdinand

The Rangers boss said: “Rio’s fine – I’ve got no problems with Rio.

“When he takes his time, people want him to kick it. He ain’t never going to boot it up the pitch.

“He plays – he’s a footballer. You wouldn’t see Franz Beckenbauer or Bobby Moore booting it up the field, they would like to play.

“He’s looking for people to come and show for the ball so he can play it to them. That’s what I encouraged him to do when he was 14, so I’m not going to change now.”

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