QPR skipper Martin Rowlands has spoken of his pride after winning his fourth Republic of Ireland cap against Italy at the weekend.

Rowlands was a second half sub for Glenn Whelen at Croke Park on Saturday when the Irish held World Champions to a 2-2 draw, and came within minutes of winning when Middlesbrough’s Sean St ledger gave them a 2-1 lead in the 86th minute. The result, however impressive, was not enough to keep Ireland’s hopes of qualification alive leaving them with a dead rubber against Montenegro on Wednesday. Rowlands is expected to start that game and says he is loving representing his country again at the age of 30.

Rowlands told the QPR official website: “It was a mixed night. From a personal point of view, I was immensely proud to represent my country once again. It is an unbelievable honour whenever you pull on the shirt - especially when it's against the world champions. However, being 2-1 up with just a minute to play and drawing 2-2 was a bitter pill to swallow. I thought we'd done enough to win the game and keep our automatic qualification hopes alive but it wasn't to be.

“We were really down. We came that close to pulling off an unbelievable victory but they nicked on right at the death. The lads were really down but we’ll pick ourselves up and be ready for Montenegro.”

In former QPR news our one time Chief Executive Mark Devlin has taken up a similar position at League Two high flyers Barnet where he will recognise Jake Cole and Paul Furlong among the playing squad. Martin Allen has committed his future to Cheltenham amid speculation linking him with the vacant managerial position at Wycombe Wanderers.

Elsewhere in the Championship today Doncaster have signed Southampton midfielder Simon Gillett on a two month loan deal. Derby County have announced that their televised game against QPR next week will be an “all white night” but will be without summer signing Shaun Barker who is out for another month with a thigh injury he has suffered with since moving from Blackpool.

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