April 10 2007

Shefki Kuqi

Shefki Kuqi admits abuse from Crystal Palace fans is the worst he's ever had to handle.

Kuqi, 30, silenced the boo boys with a brace in Palace's 3-0 win over Preston on Saturday for his eighth of the season.

The Finnish striker and many of his team mates have endured flack from the Selhurst Park crowd unhappy with Palace's poor campaign.

And the former Blackburn, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday ace says the jibes directed towards him are hurting.

"The ones that booed me, and I have to say it wasn't everyone, are the worst set of fans at a club I've been at," he said. "It's not just me but other players who have had it too.

"I came here to play football and get back in the Premiership, otherwise I wouldn't have signed. I don't think any supporters get hurt more than myself when we get beat so there's nothing worse than getting booed.

"When I first came here there were high expectations and everybody thought I was just going to press a button and everything was going to work. But whatever job you do you're going to need time.

"I'm confident I can score 20 goals a season. I've done it before and I feel I can do it again. All I need is to get myself on a run and stay in the team."

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