Bersant Celina was happy to get off the mark for Ipswich Town, on his 21st birthday, in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat at QPR on Saturday.

The Kosovo-born winger rifled home an unstoppable drive from 30 yards, with two minutes of normal time left, to spur the visitors into action.

However, goals from Jamie Mackie and Luke Freeman meant Celina’s strike was a mere consolation as the Blues left Loftus Road empty-handed.

“I am just really pleased for myself to get a goal, that’s what I want to do, and of course it was nice to score on my birthday,” said the on-loan Manchester City winger.

“I think I can score any kind of goals and I showed what I can do today.

Celina has yet to start a league game for the Blues, following his summer switch from City, his time at Town so far punctuated by illness.

Now he hopes he can force his way into the first-team, following a successful loan spell at FC Twente last season.

“I have been struggling with illness and obviously the team have been doing really well so it’s been hard, but I think it’s time for me now in the next game.

“The manager has been waiting for the right opportunity to play me.

“I came from Manchester City to play games, that’s why he brought me here, and I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t start me the next game (next Saturday against Bolton).

Celina’s strike was a collector’s item from long distance, much like Tom Lawrence’s strike on the same ground last season.

“I scored a better goal in the under-23s (at Sheffield Wednesday), but this was my best professional goal,” added Celina, who insisted the dressing room was disappointed after a second sucessive league defeat.

“We are all really disappointed, we would have been the better team if we had worked harder. I just didn’t happen for us.”