Osman Kakay hailed his first league goal as the culmination of years of hard work, after QPR eased to a 2-0 victory over Stoke City at the weekend.   

The 23-year-old defender finished off a smart counter-attack to seal the win with 20 minutes to go at the bet365 Stadium, after Charlie Austin had given the R’s a deserved first-half lead with a thumping strike. 

That made it three consecutive away wins as Mark Warburton’s side, who moved up to ninth in the table, continue to finish the Championship season strongly. 

But there was only one thing on Kakay’s mind, who joined the youth ranks at QPR in 2005 and has waited a long time to find the net in the league. 

“It was a great feeling [to score first league goal for QPR],” he said. 

“I’ve been getting a lot of stick from the physios, saying I’m one of the only outfield players who hasn’t scored. I was happy it came today before the end of the league season. 

“Today was the day. It was a good move and I was happy to score. In this formation the wing backs are the real out balls, we have to keep the width. 

“[I was saying] ‘Steffie [Stefan Johansen] please give me the ball’, it was a great ball and I just kept my composure. First league goal especially is something I’ve always wanted to do. 

“That’s what you play football for. I’ve been here since the age of seven, every game I play I play my heart out so to score was an amazing feeling.” 

Despite having over double the amount of shots of their opponents, Stoke failed to mount any real danger to Warburton’s men. 

And a momentary lapse at the back allowed Austin to score his seventh goal of the season in the 17th minute and from there the result was never really in doubt. 

Then came Kakay’s golden moment, as the Sierra Leone international put a composed finish on the end of Stefan Johansen’s pinpoint through ball. 

And now a campaign which has had its fair share of ups and downs is ending strongly for Rangers, as they look to carry momentum into a sustained push on the play-offs next season. 

“I think all of us have been really resilient, ruthless in front of goal and we’ve got that winning mentality right now,” Kakay added. 

“I think I’m a versatile player, I know I have to improve my game at right wingback especially. 

“It’s more about getting end product at the moment, getting the final third and hopefully I can continue doing that and really push for a starting position.”