RANGERS LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD

Last updated : 09 June 2005 By Mark O' Haire

Speaking to the official website he gave some supporters a little surprise with his hopes for next season and the realisation that the club still finds itself in.

In a year when the club performed beyond its expectations on the pitch and finished in a
very respectable 11th position, the price of season tickets took a big leap with the club declaring that to compete and continue its comeback they need to start progressing on the financial playing field as well as the pitch.

This means everything from improving the youth team set-up, signing players, holding onto quality players and playing good football to attract supporters in excess of 15,000.

The realisation was reaffirmed by Paladini who admitted Rangers are still a selling club.

Paladini said: "Our strategy is to bring in young players whom we can sell in the future.

"This is the only way to do things at QPR, although we are comfortable financially at the moment.

"Even if we get promoted, we won't be signing 32 or 33-year-old players on high wages. We need young players who can fit into the system that we play."

It is a pleasant surprise that the club is now financially stable and that we are on the look out for young talent but it is no surprise to hear that we will probably have to let the best players leave once they peak. In the past players such as Peter Crouch (most recently), Nigel Quashie, Trevor Sinclair and Les Ferdinand all brought in a welcome profit but Paladini has other aspirations for the club.

"Our aim is to be at least in the play-offs," said Paladini.

"We have brought in Ian Evatt from Chesterfield, and Simon Royce is due to arrive from Charlton.

"I think our squad will be 20% better at the start of next season."

Targeting a top six spot next season may sound like a bold expectation from the Italian director, but considering Rangers have brought in some good young players in Evatt, Matthew Hislop and Dominic Shimmin (both Arsenal) with the promise of more means Rangers are back in business.

After signing from Chesterfield, Ian Evatt spoke to the official website and explained what made the R’s such a good choice.

"There is a lot of ambition at the club, and that struck me when I spoke to Bill Power.

"He said he wants to be in the Premiership in three years - and that's my ambition as well."

Spending £200,000 on Evatt means Rangers have some money in the coffers and are tracking some quality young players to play for the Hoops with a hunger and pride as shown by the squad last season.