Ipswich Town: McKenna on Jack Taylor’s Republic of Ireland call-up
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says Jack Taylor’s recent performances should act as inspiration for any players currently on the fringes in his squad.
Following a £1.5m switch from Peterborough, Taylor was restricted to a supporting role in the Blues’ Championship promotion campaign and then saw midfield duo Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste both brought in on loan.
The 26-year-old has made the most of his five Premier League cameos so far though, so much so that he was handed his international debut for the Republic of Ireland last Sunday.
“I think everyone in the building is buzzing for Jack to be called up to the Ireland squad,” said McKenna, Taylor having looked lively during his half hour cameo in a 2-0 defeat in Greece.
“When I first spoke to Jack a couple of years ago, his career goals were to play for Ireland and play in the Premier League.
“We are really, really happy that he has reached those milestones and now it will be about setting new milestones and pushing on from there.
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“I think he has made a good impact. It is now five appearances he has made in the Premier League so far and I think he is a really good role model for the group at the moment.
“He didn’t play in the Fulham game or against AFC Wimbledon in the cup as we were integrating some new players. It would have been easy at that stage to drop his head.
“But his training over the few weeks after that was excellent. He worked in a really positive manner, got his opportunity coming off the bench against Southampton, did really well and took the game by the scruff of the neck. Again, he was a big positive coming off the bench against Aston Villa.
“He has shown good attitude and good qualities and taken some good steps in his career in terms of making his Premier League and international debut.
“We are happy he is here and we know he is going to keep working hard to have as strong a season as he can.”
Taylor was one of four Town players in the Republic of Ireland squad alongside Dara O’Shea, Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics.
With Massimo Luongo and Cajuste injured, Taylor is the only other central midfielder in the squad currently competing with Sam Morsy (one booking away from a ban) and Phillips.
McKenna’s men return to action when they face Everton, at Portman Road, on Saturday (3pm).
