Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha was quick to get rid of Clint Hill, who is now set for a return to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.
Clint Hill may be 38 years of age but the fact that Rangers’ decision to release him upon the expiry of his one-year contract divided opinion speaks volumes of his performances north of the border.
Hill was a pillar of consistency in an otherwise fluctuating bunch at Ibrox, one of the most reliable performers under Mark Warburton and a valuable source of leadership and experience at the heart of a defence which conceded far too many soft goals as Celtic and Aberdeen soared out in front.
And though Rangers completed the impressive signings of Portuguese international Bruno Alves and his talented compatriot Fabio Cardoso this summer from Cagliari and Vitoria Setubal respectively, you got the feeling that Hill still had plenty to offer.
QPR obviously think so, with the WestLondonSport reporting that the veteran could be set for a surprise return to Loftus Road, where he spent six years between 2010 and 2016.
Over the Hill?
Hill is training with the Championship club in an attempt to build up his fitness and even played 60 minutes for QPR’s Under-23s as they thrashed Bolton Wanderers 5-0 on Monday. Injuries to Grant Hall and James Perch have left QPR light at the back, meaning Hill may now be offered a contract.
Therefore, another chance in the Championship gives Hill the opportunity to prove to Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha, who decided to release him two weeks before the end of last season, that he was let go too soon.
Hill was a big fans favourite at Rangers, aided by an equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with Celtic at Ibrox, and if QPR believe he can still do a job then there is little doubt that he could have enjoyed another season as a reliable back-up option in Glasgow.
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