Outcast Wallace will prove Ibrox critics wrong, says Warburton

MARK WARBURTON has backed Lee Wallace to have the last laugh on Rangers by proving himself to be a smash hit at Loftus Road. The former Ibrox manager made signing his old skipper a priority when he took the reins at Queens Park Rangers. Restricted to fleeting appearances under Steven Gerrard last season, 31-year-old Wallace’s Rangers career never recovered from the dressing-room bust-up with Graeme Murty following the 4-0 defeat to Celtic in last year’s Scottish Cup semi-final. Wallace, together with Kenny Miller, were the subject of an internal investigation and subsequently fined by the club — only to win their appeals to the SPFL. Miller left the club last summer but Wallace remained and, having stuck by the club in the lower leagues after its liquidation in 2012, the bit part he played as his contract ran down stuck in the throats of many supporters. And Warburton, who has also confirmed the signing of Livingston goalkeeper Liam Kelly, believes Wallace will now make his point to those who froze him out by being at the helm of his new club’s drive for promotion next season. ‘He is a natural leader and did a fantastic job for me while I was up there,’ said Warburton. ‘He governed the dressing room and set the standards in the right way. ‘The last 18 months at Rangers were difficult for him. I have no doubt he will come down here absolutely determined to prove many people wrong.’ Speaking on the the QPR website after penning a two-year deal, Wallace said: ‘I am delighted to be here and really looking forward to the challenge ahead. This is an exciting time to play for a top football club. I have had 15 seasons in Scotland and now is time for a fresh challenge.’ Kelly, who forced his way into the Scotland squad after an outstanding season for Gary Holt’s side, has moved to London on a four-year contract. The 23-year-old invoked a release clause at Livvy, allowing him to leave for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £50,000, despite having one year left on his contract. ‘I felt now was the right time for me to try something new and QPR gave me that opportunity,’ said Kelly. ‘Knowing the manager and how his teams play, it was something I couldn’t say no to.’ Kelly kept 17 clean sheets for the West Lothian side after leaving Rangers the previous summer. Warburton added: ‘Liam is outstanding with his feet, he has great distribution and he is a very good shot stopper.’