Shittu felt nervous about return

Last updated : 23 February 2011 By BBC Sport

"I knew it was an important game for me, playing at home in front of those fans who have supported me all these years," said Shittu.

"I was a bit nervous before the game because I knew those fans were expecting me to do what I usually do. I didn't want to let them down."

Shittu, 30, made 182 appearances for QPR between 2001 and 2006, establishing himself as a crowd favourite at Loftus Road.

The manager put a lot of trust in me. It was a big game for us and I'm happy I was able to repay him

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He was sold to Watford for ?1.6m and later played for Bolton and Millwall before rejoining the west London club in January on a six-month deal.

After impressing in recent reserve matches, the Nigeria international was drafted in for Tuesday's game along with fellow centre-back Fitz Hall.

It meant Matt Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss missed out, despite the Championship leaders boasting the division's best defensive record.

Rangers had conceded only 20 league goals this season and had kept an unrivalled 18 clean sheets prior to Tuesday's 2-0 victory.

Shittu added: "The manager put a lot of trust in me. It was a big game for us and I'm happy I was able to repay him."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport