Three young QPR players who can benefit from Matt Gardiner appointment

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Matt Gardiner joins Queens Park Rangers as assistant coach replacing the outgoing Marc Bircham.

Queens Park Rangers boss Steve McClaren has drafted in Matt Gardiner as his new assistant coach and fans will be confident he can help the club’s young stars continue their progress.

The west Londoner’s will embark on another tough and demanding Championship campaign but the R’s are rich in youthful talent, with a number of them already making an impression in the first-team.

McClaren brought in Gardiner last week and the former England head coach was optimistic about introducing the former non-league player into the coaching setup.

The key for Gardiner will be to encourage and nurture the younger members of QPR’s squad while developing his own skills under the guidance of McClaren and assistant manager John Eustace.

The trio of Ebere Eze, Paul Smyth and Darnell Furlong are prime examples of QPR’s gifted armoury of youth and Gardiner will want to exert their talents on the training field.

Eze and Smyth are perhaps on the cusp of the starting XI but Furlong is considered a key defender and future captain. Smyth scored on his debut for both club and country and Eze impressed while on loan at Wycombe Wanderers last year.

With that in mind, Gardiner will need to fill the boots of QPR legend Marc Bircham, who had done an excellent job with all the young players in W12. Although Gardiner is inexperienced in the Football League, the 44-year-old is well placed having worked previously with Eustace at Kidderminster Harriers.

Current Worcester City manager John Snape recently said that he believes Gardiner to have all the key attributes and determination to make it all the way to the Premier League; a boast that will sit well with the Birmingham-born man.

Furthermore, with McClaren’s own reputation as a highly respected coach, it will be massive for Gardiner take this opportunity with both hands. The appointment looks a shrewd move from QPR if all works out.

Eze, Smyth and Furlong have an array of different attributes and it will be intriguing to see how Gardiner can improve the trio throughout the new season and potentially beyond. It will be a big season for all involved and it certainly appears QPR are creating the right ethos for young players and coaches alike to flourish.