Luongo says he's made a statement to Hasselbaink
EXCLUSIVE: Australia midfield gun Massimo Luongo hopes a star showing in his first QPR start under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will prove he is worthy of a regular place in the first team.
Socceroos star Massimo Luongo believes he has made a “big statement” to Queens Park Rangers coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with his first league start in three months coinciding with the Dutchman’s maiden win since taking charge seven weeks ago.
A peripheral figure of late, Luongo burst from the shadows to put in a 90-minute shift and conjure an assist in the 3-0 victory over Rotherham and is now strongly in the frame to figure heavily again in Saturday night’s (AEDT) visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to Loftus Road.
Hoops fans have been mystified by Luongo’s absence, which began in the dying embers of Chris Ramsey’s reign and continued under caretaker coach Neil Warnock and then Hasselbaink.
“I think I have made a big statement because we hadn't won in how long under the new coach, and luckily enough my first league game (under him) when I start turns out to be a win,” Luongo said. “I thought I did well and hopefully now we get some results and push on. I signed here for three years and I want to fulfill that and see how far I can go during that time at least."
The 23 year-old, who has been the subject of January transfer window bids by MK Dons and Rangers, admits that being left out for an extended period, after a bright and buoyant start to his QPR career, did present its challenges at times.
“After not being picked, it was difficult on occasions to get motivated for training in the knowledge you haven’t played," Luongo said. “You have your moments but you just have to stick with it. What helped was some interest from other clubs and that gave me a little bit of confidence and got me through it a bit.
“It was nice to hear, but it’s hard to move clubs and make that transition.
“I am enjoying it here and I want to do well as well as I can and make a name for myself."
But the midfielder, a May signing from League One Swindon Ton, hopes now that a run in the side is beckoning.
“Even when I wasn’t getting picked, I always just acted as if I was going to play and made sure I was ready," Luongo said. “I kind of knew I wasn’t going to start but you are never totally sure until game day and in the back of my mind I was always doing things right and being prepared.
“We have a big squad at QPR, and I’m not the only one competing for a spot. There are a lot of lads in same position.”
Luongo harbours no grievances, adding: “It’s difficult when a new manager comes in (Hasselbaink) and to be fair he didn’t know about me.
“We have a lot of big names in our team, and it’s hard to play somebody you don’t know.
"But, in saying that, I think all the interest helped him come to the view of thinking maybe he needed to have a closer look at me.
“I played in the FA Cup game (a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest) the other week. One of the other midfielders got ill (Alejandro Faulin) and that got me a starting spot in that game. That was bit luck for me."
Looking towards the weekend, with QPR in 15th spot and desperate to reignite a flat-lining season, Luongo said: “We have a little of momentum and positive mood around the club and we need to build on that.
“The manager has come in and done things his way and it’s taken a while to adjust, and I think we will be good in the long run. Under him I think we have the right mind-set as a group.”
