Lyndon Dykes has backed Michael Beale to bring success to Rangers after confessing the QPR players were gutted to see their manager leave for Ibrox.

Beale took over at Loftus Road in the summer and had the London outfit top of the Championship before a run of four defeats in a five-game winless run before his move north.

Dykes admits it has been a ‘crazy time’ for him and his team-mates seeing their manager leave just a few months into his tenure.

But the Scotland internationalist is adamant no-one begrudged Beale his return to Rangers, where he previously made a name for himself as first-team coach under Steven Gerrard.

He said: “We all got on with the manager, he was great. He came in and knew what he wanted to do straight away – he was very firm, and his training sessions were very good.

“We were all disappointed to see him leave. It’s football, and it’s so crazy sometimes, it moves so quickly.

“An opportunity came up for him, and he decided to go for that. We all wished him all the best.

“I’m sure he will do great up there. He’s very highly spoken of in the football scene.”

Dykes added to South London News: “I’m sure he will be looking from afar and always keeping an eye on us and hoping we’re doing well.

“It’s been a bit of a crazy time. We all have to adjust, but that’s football – you can pick up your bags one day and be on the other side of the country.

“Now we have got a mentality where we want to prove everyone wrong and prove ourselves right. We are capable of doing it, we just have to have switched on heads and make sure we give it all.”

Despite the turmoil of losing their manager and the uncertainty over who will replace Beale, Dykes is convinced QPR can keep promotion to the Premier League firmly in their sights.

They resume competitive action with a home game against Burnley on Saturday and are 10 points adrift of the league leaders but still in the play-off zone in sixth.

The former Livingston and Queen of the South striker said: “It’s something that every footballer who comes to the Championship wants to do.

“We all want to play in the Premier League, and the Championship is the best route to get there. If we get the club there, too, it’s even better.

“It’s a long season, but we have to keep being focused and getting points on the board.”

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