It’s Angel delight for Mac’s just desserts
STEVE McCLAREN refused to even contemplate the prospect of a promotion push as Angel Rangel’s deadly double kept the Rangers bandwagon rolling.
Veteran Spaniard Rangel, 35, opened and closed the scoring with a fine header and a delightful finish which left McClaren’s men just two places outside the play-off zone.
After a shocking start to the season, QPR have emerged as a force under the former England boss and they have tasted defeat just once in their last eight games.
Yet McClaren said: “I’m not even thinking about the top six – we’re just trying to build a team and belief.
“We need a little bit more of that but there are no targets.
“At the start of the season you try and experiment as you look for the right formula.
“In those early weeks I made a lot of mistakes but the key was to learn from them. The performance was excellent today with the spirit we showed.”
Right-back Rangel joined Rangers in the summer on a short-term deal and he headed the visitors in front from Eberechi Eze’s superb left-wing delivery.
Stoke levelled in the 21st minute when Saido Berahino bundled home following a cross from Tom Ince.
Shortly after the hour, Joe Allen fired in from another Ince delivery but Rangers simply refused to lie down.
With 12 minutes remaining, Rangel advanced inside the penalty box to collect Eze’s pass and smash a superb shot past Jack Butland.
Rangel is a free agent in January but McClaren added: “We’ve got a stipulation where we can keep Angel but it’s whether he wants to stay with us or not.”
The result was the latest blow for the Potters as they struggle to establish themselves following last season’s relegation.
The result left Gary Rowett’s men a whopping eight points adrift of the play-off places.
Rowett said: “I’m really disappointed. We haven’t won enough home games and we’re all aware of that.
“It was a poor start and particularly at home, it just adds to the nervous nature of things.”