"The spirit of the squad – the players are more delighted for Nahki than anybody," McClaren said.

"That was perfect for us, for him to do that. He's been frustrated but he's never stopped working.

"He's been great for the team and if you keep working and keep making runs you will score goals.

"He knows that and hopefully he'll go on from this. Nahki has played really well and been unlucky on occasions but tonight has got his reward."

It was the third win of a four-match unbeaten run for Rangers, who have recovered well since losing their first four league games under McClaren.

Hammered 7-1 at West Brom and then beaten 3-0 at home by Bristol City during that nightmare start, Rangers have lost just two of their subsequent 10 league matches.

That has been in no small part down to the impact of Wells and on-loan Brighton forward Hemed.

McClaren said: "After four games we had no points. We were in a pit. But we made good signings in Hemed, Wells and Geoff Cameron, who I thought was excellent.

"We made signings after those first four games and have found a system and a way to play that suits the players. They're responding and getting good results.

"This was hugely satisfying. It was a big test for us against a very strong side. We defended magnificently and that was the platform to winning."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay admitted his side were punished for some sloppy defending.

"In our defending we were not consistent enough and did not clear the dangerous moments. The goals were too easy," Luhakay said.

"We were not strong enough to win and the result of 3-0 says something about this game.

"At 1-0 we had three or four moments when the ball was not lucky for our strikers to score and then QPR came one time in the second half and scored a second goal.

"Our team did not give up. But the third goal we also gave away, losing the ball in a dangerous area.

"When you do that you invite the opponent to score the third goal and then it's over.

"In possession we were poor. We could not keep the ball and every time the ball went to one of our strikers we were losing the ball.

"The crucial moment was the second goal. Before that you must make it 1-1 and the game maybe goes in a different direction."

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