Harry Redknapp: Andros Townsend is a 'smashing kid' and playing for Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League was the 'making of him'

England winger played under the manager on loan at Loftus Road last season

Andros Townsend has been labelled a 'smashing kid' by Harry Redknapp (Getty Images)

Harry Redknapp believes winger Andros Townsend’s loan spell at his QPR side last year was “the making of him” after the Tottenham player made a goal scoring debut for England against Montenegro on Friday.

Speaking on Absolute Radio’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Football, the QPR manager claimed it was the Premier League experience gained by Townsend last season which helped him progress. “Going out on loan, playing in the lower leagues and doing well is not the same; once he did it in the Premier League, that was the making of him. And he's gone back to Tottenham and carried that on.”

Redknapp also managed Townsend during his stint as manager of Tottenham but explained that it was difficult to play the winger at the time. “We had [Aaron] Lennon on one side and [Gareth] Bale on the other; he was always there or thereabouts but we loaned him out. And one or two clubs took him and didn't want to keep him. But I always thought he was going to be a real good player; and as soon as the chance came last year, we took him on loan to QPR and he was great, he did fantastic.”

And ahead of England’s final qualifying match against Poland on Tuesday night, Redknapp urged Townsend to “keep doing what he’s doing” and remains confident he will do so. “He will because he is one of those boys, every time he picks it up he attacks you with the ball. And really he's a smashing kid as well, so I am really pleased for him.”

Harry Redknapp had Andros Townsend on loan at QPR last season (GETTY IMAGES)