• Premier League

My head was in Paris - Taarabt

ESPN staff
April 3, 2012
Taarabt scored his first goal of the season in Rangers' win against Arsenal © Getty Images
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Adel Taarabt has attributed his lengthy slump in form to the disappointment of missing out on a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

The QPR midfielder, who captained the side to promotion from the Championship after making a loan move from Tottenham permanent in 2010, scored 19 league goals last season but has struggled to make an impact on his return to the Premier League.

The Moroccan playmaker had been targeted by PSG's Qatari owners in the summer but a move was blocked by director of football Leonardo, much to Taarabt's disappointment. Rumours of renewed interest in January also added to the uncertainty surrounding the former Championship player of the year.

Taarabt has been a marginal figure this season since losing the armband to Joey Barton, but after scoring the winner in Rangers' 2-1 win against Arsenal on Saturday the Moroccan is finally showing glimpses of his finest football once more.

"I was hurt early in the season because my head was in Paris," Taarabt said. "With Paris it was done. I was already in Paris where I met with the Qataris. But the arrival of Leonardo blocked things."

Taarabt's return to form could not come at a better time for Mark Hughes' side. Two wins in their last three games, against Liverpool and Arsenal, have moved the west Londoners out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

But the tough fixtures keep on coming, with Rangers facing Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City in their seven remaining games.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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