QPR appoint Clint Hill as captain ahead of Ryan Nelsen departure
QPR manager Harry Redknapp appoints veteran defender Clint Hill as the club's captain for the remainder of the season
Harry Redknapp has appointed Clint Hill as Queens Park Rangers captain for the remainder of the season, with Ryan Nelsen set to leave the club in early February.
The 34-year-old has been a key part of QPR’s three-game unbeaten run, which has seen the Hoops beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before picking up points against Tottenham and West Ham.
Hill has started every Premier League game under Harry Redknapp after the former Portsmouth manager was appointed as Mark Hughes’ successor in November.
Nelsen was named as QPR’s interim captain in the autumn following injury to Hughes’ first-choice skipper Park Ji-Sung, but the former Blackburn defender will leave the Hoops in February to become Toronto’s manager.
“Clint is a great character, a good lad and a fantastic professional,” said Redknapp.
“He leads by example and has been superb for me since the moment I walked through the door.
“You know what you’re going to get from Clint when he plays and that’s 100%.
“He puts his body on the line for the club and that’s what we need.”
Hill, who signed a one-year contract extension at the club back in June, says that being named as Hoops skipper is a career highlight.
“It’s a very proud moment for me,” said Hill.
“I’m honoured and privileged. I’m sure it will be something I look back on in years to come with great admiration.
“Ji and Ryan have both had the honour of captaining the side this season and I’m relishing following in their footsteps.”
