Delaney Optimistic About Dowie

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Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - Dowie ' will be perfect for us'Jun 6 2008

DAMIEN Delaney is backing Iain Dowie to bring the organisation Rangers will need to mount a promotion campaign next season, writes Rob Brennan.

The left-back, who is on a high after earning his first caps for the Republic of Ireland last week and earning praise from new national boss Giovanni Trapattoni, is confident his new club boss will inspire

Delaney has yet to meet Dowie but is looking forward to playing under the former Northern Ireland International.

"I'm pleased, really pleased," Delaney said. "He will have us organised for next year and hopefully we will go on next year and achieve promotion.

"I know quite a lot about him and what he did with Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry.

He is a well known manager around the Championship and everyone knows what he is about. He will build a solid, Championship side and hopefully have us organised and looking right in the Championship next year."

Delaney admitted he thought he would be making up the numbers when he was called up by Trapattoni for Ireland's end of season friendlies against Serbia and Colombia.

Instead he gained his first International caps and is set to retain the left back spot when the World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

In the absence of the Wigan Athletic's Kevin Kilbane, Delaney made his debut against Serbia at Croke Park. And having endeared himself to Irish supporters with a typically robust display, he was again in fine form as Ireland beat Colombia 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

He has been the surprising success story of the Trapattoni era so far.

The Corkman has a terrific physique and got up and down the line well. He was barking out orders to Celtic's Aiden McGeady for failing to track back and made some crunching tackles to the cheers of 18,000 fans.

"I was pleased enough, I was a bit nervous before both games. It's been a good experience to play against an Eastern European side and to play against a South American side," Delaney told the Gazette.

"I'm not a one cap wonder!" he said. "I was delighted and hopefully I can get a few more."

Delaney feels that playing in the Championship with not be a detriment to his Ireland career and is hopeful that club-mate Martin Rowlands will return for a friendly against Norway in Oslo in August.

"Hopefully with QPR next year we will be up at the top of the Championship. The club has got a lot of investment and are looking for top quality players. If we are playing at the top of the Championship and winning every week and being a London club will be a bit more high profile.

"I think Rowly showed enough. I think he would have started the game against Serbia. He obviously impressed the coaching staff in the two friendlies we had in Portugal so I think he has done enough.

"Next year will be critical for him, if he can get off to a good start, then hopefully he can get in the team."

The Irish contingent at Loftus Road may be further bolstered over the summer with the arrival of Wes Hoolahan from Black-pool. The 26-year-old Dubliner made his Irish debut as a substitute against Colombia and the is set to depart Bloomfield Road for a cut price £250,000. But the Hoops face competition from Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic to buy the skilful left winger.

"He has been my room-mate all week so I got to know him really well and was telling him about the benefits of coming to QPR and hopefully we can get him down," Delaney said.

* Mikele Leigertwood has reportedly turned down the chance to play for Antigua in the World Cup qualifiers. The Rangers midfielder was said to have rejected a late call-up because of other summer commitments - including a wedding. Ealing Gazette