Loanee Bersant Celina, who has helped to light up Town’s season, has promised fans: “There is more to come from me.”
That will be music to the ears of supporters — and boss Mick McCarthy — after the young Kosovan’s impressive form, scoring seven goals in 18 appearances, only nine of them starts, since his season-long move from Manchester City in the summer.
Celina, 21, also revealed that his relationship with McCarthy could not be healthier and that a tweet on the eve of the game at Burton in October, which seemed to hint he would be returning north in January, meant nothing of the sort.
The winger, who started just two of the first 13 league games of the season, was asked if the lack of opportunities bothered him. He admitted: "Yes, of course, and I think it should bother any player who likes playing football. I’m the type who won’t be happy if I don’t play. I just want to play all the time so, yes, I was frustrated.
"Obviously I spoke with the manager and it was about him feeling he could trust me on the pitch. I’d been working really hard in training, I got my chance and I took it. I think my relationship with the manager is perfect. We talk a lot, we joke and I don’t think it could be better.
"My tweet had nothing to do with me leaving. I wasn’t thinking about leaving and even if I was I couldn’t go anyway because I am on a season-long loan here. I think I can do a lot more. There’s more to come from me.”
Ironically, the game at Burton proved significant for the young player because soon after being introduced as an 84th minute substitute he netted a spectacular freekick winner to complete Town’s recovery after they had fallen behind and levelled through Martyn Waghorn.
Celina was so caught up in the moment that he hurled his shirt into the crowd and then borrowed a celebration from Cristiano Ronaldo as he stood topless, flexed his muscles and milked the applause of the travelling support.
He added: "My goal at QPR was good but my favourite is probably the freekick at Burton because it was a winner and it was an important win for the team. The celebration was a mixture of frustration and happiness.
"I am really happy for myself and that’s why I came here. I wanted to show that I could score goals because I know I can. I haven’t set myself a target.
"I’m trying not to think about it too much because last season [when he was on loan at Dutch club FC Twente] I think I pushed myself too much and it didn’t happen. This season I’m not really thinking about scoring and it’s just happening naturally.”
Celina’s goal rounded off last week’s 4-2 home win over Nottingham Forest, taking Town to seventh place and three points off the play-offs, and he has struck up a terrific working relationship with top scorer Waghorn, who provided the assist after taking his own tally for the season to 10.
"I get on really well with Martyn,” said Celina. "He’s a very intelligent player and I think I am as well. When you have two intelligent players playing together you understand how to play well with each other and that’s what we do. But I get on with everyone else as well.
"It’s different from Manchester, better weather generally, and I like it. I’m happy. It’s an amazing squad. I’ve said it before — it’s the best team I’ve been with when it comes to team spirit and how everyone gets on with each other.
"We still have some players injured and hopefully they will come back to help the team. When you look at the whole squad it’s a strong one.
"There is a real buzz at the moment and we are looking forward to the next game. We want to continue doing well and hopefully gain more wins.”