McClaren on the derby win, Lynch for Wales, Hemed’s fitness – and bringing the fun back to QPR

QPR came from behind to beat Brentford 3-2 in the west London derby at Loftus Road on Saturday. Here’s a rundown of what Rangers boss Steve McClaren had to say after the game.

On Rangers’ victory

“I thought it was a terrific game of football. We always thought: ‘Look, just give a performance so we enjoy it and the fans enjoy it’ and they certainly did that.

“Brentford contributed to that – I thought they were excellent. Two very good teams with different styles and it was a great game of football. We were fortunate enough to win the game.

“We showed great character, 1-0 down at half-time, to go 3-1 up. We blew them away for 20 minutes.

“They came back and we had to hold on, but we did that. It’s a good win.

“You’re always nervous because it’s 3-1 and then they score and you’ve got 10 minutes to go.

“They’re a very, very good footballing team. They create chances and we had to hold on and defend for our lives.”

On the second-half goal spree

“In the first half I thought we were excellent and I said: ‘Don’t worry about that (Brentford) goal, just be better in the final third.

“We were hopeless in the final third in the first half – the final ball, final cross, final shot and decision.

“But we got it right in the second half and for 20 minutes it was great football and the place was rocking after that.

“I said we’d have to win not just on the field but off the field and the fans certainly helped us get over the line.”

On it being important to finally come from behind to win

“Absolutely. This team has got a lot of hurdles to get over and breakthroughs to make, but that’s one – coming back to win in a local derby against a very good Brentford team.”

On Nahki Wells scoring again

“I’m delighted for Nahki getting a goal. That’s what strikers are there for and it will be a confidence boost for him.”

On bringing the fun back to QPR

“I think the players have done that. We’ve always tried to create an environment in which we enjoy coming to work. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t do it.

“The spirit in the dressing room – the responsibility that they’re taking – has really been first class.

“The reaction after the first four games; we never doubted, we stuck together.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve come through that – there’s still a long way to go – but we’re certainly producing what I’d call spirited performances, which is evident in the dressing room.”

On the highs and lows of his managerial career

“It’s football management. When you’ve been doing it as long as I have been, it’s never constant.

“You climb Everest and quickly you fall off and come down and you try to do it again.

“I was lucky I was given this opportunity to come here. I’d worked here before and love the club – it’s a great club with great history and tradition.

“For me it’s about the team and players, and the staff have been excellent. We stuck together.

“After the first four games we got good signings in and changed a few things around. But the players deserve the credit because they’ve done the work, crossed the white line and been getting results.”

On whether he expected such a turnaround

“There’s no way we thought that. We signed Geoff Cameron, Nahki Wells and Tomer Hemed and knew we’d be stronger and knew we’d be OK and that we could get a good team that could compete, and that’s what we did. The players have taken that on.”

On the international break

“We’ve got a few we need to (get fit). But the spirit in the dressing room we need to keep. It’s very good.

“I need a breather after that and then it’s back to work from Wednesday on and then get prepared for Stoke. You can’t rest in this league.

“You’ve got to keep your feet on the ground. What got us here is hard work and focusing.

“We just need to keep going forward. Have a break, but get back and there’s a tough one in Stoke away when we get back.”

On Joel Lynch deserving a Wales recall

“Many of the staff have been saying to make a call to Ryan Giggs, because the way he’s performing – he’s doing very well, the level he’s at.

“He needs to keep his feet on the ground and keep producing that level. But the level he’s at, yes, Wales should take notice.”

On whether Tomer Hemed will join the Israel squad

“Yes. They want to call him up and have a look at him. We’ve no problem.

“He’s very close to fitness – very close. It was 50-50 to put him on the bench. We decided not to because we didn’t want to risk it.

“He’s sensible enough that when he’s with Israel that he’ll do it right.”