by The Prisoner »
25 Aug 2011 12:23
http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/warnock-slams-saints-over-gorkss-deal/ Warnock slams Saints over Gorkss deal
25/08/2011
by David McIntyre
Neil Warnock has hit out at Southampton for dragging their heels over the signing of Kaspars Gorkss – and revealed he is “delighted” Reading captured the defender.
Southampton declared an interest in Gorkss after Rangers circulated his name for a transfer during the summer, but have also been on the trail of Bristol City’s Liam Fontaine.
And as an agreement between the Saints and QPR finally seemed close, Reading manager Brian McDermott came in with a bid after having an offer for centre-back Paul Robinson rejected by Millwall.
The Royals promptly signed Gorkss on a three-year contract in a deal worth around £900,000.
“We had Southampton messing about for three weeks and to be honest I’d had enough of that,” said Warnock.
“Brian McDermott was magnificent when he spoke to me. Then within five minutes he was talking to the player, within two hours was having a meal with him, and then he signed him. That’s how to do business.
“At Southampton we had a chairman who was talking to us for weeks and weeks, and I’m delighted Kaspars has now gone to Reading. It’s a good club.”
R’s boss Warnock, who hopes to seal the signing of Joey Barton in the next 24 hours, insists he had no doubts about letting Gorkss go despite Rangers’ limited defensive options.
Bradley Orr and Kieron Dyer have picked up injuries, while Clint Hill is suspended and QPR were unable to recall Peter Ramage from his loan at Crystal Palace.
But Warnock said: “Kaspars knew he wasn’t going to be in my plans. I spoke to him and said: ‘Look, you’ve been fantastic for me and I think if you can get a good club for three years, this is the time to do it.’
“He did great for me and I thanked him for that. He’s a fabulous person as well as a good player.”