QPR striker Taarabt hits back at Redknapp over fitness

21 October 2014 - 12:30 By REUTERS
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West Ham United's English midfielder Stewart Downing (L) vies with Queens Park Rangers' Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, in east London on October 5, 2014.
West Ham United's English midfielder Stewart Downing (L) vies with Queens Park Rangers' Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, in east London on October 5, 2014.

Queens Park Rangers striker Adel Taarabt has hit back at manager Harry Redknapp who called him overweight and unfit at the weekend.

"It's not true to say I'm not fit. He tried to give an excuse," Taarabt told the Daily Mail in an interview published on Tuesday. "I was desperate to play before the game. I was fuming when I didn't play.

"He should have said 'when he is fit he will play'. He is an experienced manager and he should have controlled that situation."

Redknapp had criticised Taarabt after his side crashed to a 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool on Sunday, even though the Morocco striker did not play, which kept them rooted at the bottom of the Premier League on four points from eight games.

"He's not fit to play football unfortunately," Redknapp had said. "He played in a reserve game the other day and I could have run about more than he did.

"I can't pick him. I pick people who want to try, who deserve to be at a good football club like QPR, who come in every day and want to work, train and show a good attitude.

"When he starts doing that, if he ever can do it, maybe he'll get a game."

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