Kieran Morgan’s first career goal delights QPR boss Marti Cifuentes

Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2024 by PA

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes hailed Kieran Morgan after the teenager’s first career goal secured a 1-1 win at home to Coventry and lifted them off the foot of the Sky Bet Championship.

Morgan, released by Tottenham in the summer, was making just his second substitute appearance with Rangers trailing to Haji Wright’s early strike.

The 18-year-old had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he met a cross from Paul Smyth just after the hour mark.

Morgan’s first-time volley was by no means the cleanest of hits, but it bounced into the turf and looped up over City goalkeeper Oliver Dovin to rescue a point.

“We are happy for him, he played really well in the last game and because of the goal,” said Cifuentes.

“He’s a humble boy and hopefully it will be the first of many. There are some encouraging signs.”

Rangers are still looking for a first home win of a torrid season so far, but they did at least move back above Portsmouth on goal difference at the bottom of the table.

“It was not the result we wanted. We never start a game thinking a point would be good,” added Cifuentes.

“But after a difficult start and the kind of struggles we have had lately, the main thing today was the performance.

“We are in a difficult situation, but there is strong trust and strong commitment that we can get it right.”

Coventry, meanwhile, are still looking for their first away win of the season.

They led after only four minutes when Wright spun in a crowded box and fired low into the net.

Boss Mark Robins felt Dovin should have saved Morgan’s shot and was also critical of substitute Ellis Simms, who went through on goal late on but opted to shoot when Norman Bassette was crying out for a pass across goal.

“I think it was a game between two teams who lacked a bit of belief and confidence,” said Robins.

“We started brightly, got our goal and that gave us confidence and belief for a short spell. But both teams kept giving the ball way; ‘you have it, no you have it’.

“We ended up just giving the ball away too often and couldn’t get that foothold. That could be the lack of confidence because we haven’t won games.

“It was a poor goal to concede. The goalkeeper should have saved it. We can’t concede a goal like that.

“And then when Ellis has a team-mate in a better position to score a goal, you have to pass it to them.”