Former QPR coach Steve Gallen says he has been pleasantly surprised with Ryan Manning’s progress at the club since the turn of the new year.

Gallen, who spent 19 years on Rangers’ coaching staff before departing in 2016, says he didn’t see a pathway for the former Galway United youngster to progress under previous management, but believes Ian Holloway’s arrival has changed everything.

He told the Times: “I’m absolutely delighted for Ryan. He’s one of the nicest lads I’ve met in football and is so humble.

“Ian Holloway coming into QPR has completed turned his career around. Under Jimmy [Floyd Hasselbaink] there was a different way of playing at QPR and Ryan didn’t really fit into that.

“Ollie has a different approach to the game though and Ryan is exactly the type of player you want in the team for the system they’re currently playing.”

Just two years after joining from the League of Ireland Premier Division outfit, Manning was facing up to the prospect of leaving Loftus Road last month, that was until Holloway walked through the door.

After an injury crisis ahead of the trip to Wolves on New Year’s Eve, Holloway handed the 20-year-old his first-ever start for the club – and he hasn’t looked back since.

Gallen added: “I must admit I was a bit surprised to see him get a chance [in the first team] considering the way it was going for him while I was at the club, and obviously after that, but it’s really great news.

“He found it difficult to adapt to English football straight away, but there was so much expectation on him, not just from people around the club but also from Ireland too.

“He’s always been a smart football player with a cracking left foot – so good on Ollie for giving him a a chance and they’re both reaping the rewards from it.

“One of the best things about Ryan, just like Michael Harriman (the ex-QPR player) is that when a manager or coach tells him to do something, he does it, no questions asked.

“Some young players think they can run before they can walk, but Ryan is the complete opposite of that.

“He takes everything on board and every single day he trains he is determined to better himself and keep on improving.

“His knowledge of the game is excellent too and he’ll give absolutely everything, whether that be on the training ground or in games.

“I’m really over the moon for the lad, he deserves this opportunity and I hope he continues to shine.”