Taarabt is spurred on to prove a point at Rangers

13 April 2012

Adel Taarabt has revealed that he wants to use his loan spell at Queens Park Rangers as a platform to launch his career with Tottenham.

The 19-year-old made his full debut last night as Mikele Leigertwood netted the only goal to move Rangers within seven points of the Championship's top six.

The Moroccan international has joined until the end of the season and showed moments of brilliance that set him apart from his colleagues.

Since joining Spurs from French side Lens in 2007, the midfielder has made just 15 appearances - and none of them were starts. Harry Redknapp has now told him to use his time at QPR to prove that he can handle English football.

"This match was good for me, I really enjoyed it," explained Taarabt after completing his first full 90 minutes of competitive football in this country. "Since coming over here I am used to playing 15 or 20 minutes but this is a chance for me to play regularly and build my confidence.

"It hasn't been frustrating at Spurs, Harry just told me to come here and make the most of it. That is what I will do and I will kick on after this."

Taarabt played on the left side of QPR's midfield diamond but pushed into a central role whenever possible. He was a thorn in the side of Swansea's back line and came within inches of a goal as he curled a brilliant long-range effort just off target in the second half.

Taarabt admits the idea of playing in the Championship has never had huge appeal to him in the past but does realise the benefits now that he is here. "I am here for two months and it will help me," he admitted.

"French football is very different and more technical. Here you have to work very hard.

"One of the good things about QPR is that they are an attacking side and I don't like to defend. I like to make assists and to score.

"Spurs send scouts to watch, they were here for this one and will watch me closely."

Manager Paulo Sousa admitted afterwards that he was impressed by Taarabt's display but he will also have been pleased with the manner in which his side collected these points.

Swansea are one of the best teams in the League but rarely did they threaten the QPR goal. It helped that top goalscorer Jason Scotland was given a rest and only featured for the final 20 minutes.

However, home supporters saw their side grind out a win - courtesy of Leigertwood's 30th-minute header - that suggests they really might still have an outside chance of sneaking into the top six. Taarabt insisted he will do everything he can to make it happen and added: "While I am here we are going to try to make the play-offs.

"After that I'll try to break through at Spurs but there is a lot of competition. This season we have had it hard so there has not really been a chance to use the young players.

"The squad is strong, we have about 35 players. It's difficult for me to play but I'm confident I'll get there eventually because that's my aim.

"Maybe I'm just lacking a bit of experience, so I can get that here."

The victory ends a nine-match winless run and Rangers must now tackle promotion rivals Bristol City on Saturday.

"I don't care about opponents when we are looking at reaching the play-offs," said manager Sousa as he reflected on his side's position last night. "I believe in our work and we can get great results.

"We have had critics from outside the club but we have a team with union who are trying to get three points every time they go out there."

The critics will be few and far between if Taarabt and Rangers make it to Wembley in May.

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Taarabt is spurred on to prove a point at Rangers

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