Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna praises progress of George Hirst after Scotland international’s goal in 2-2 Premier League draw at Everton
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has been pleased with the development that George Hirst has made over the course of the Premier League season.
It has been a tough campaign in some regards for the striker, who has been limited to just five starts due to a combination of injuries and the form in front of goal of fellow forward Liam Delap.
However, he has used his minutes on the pitch well – particularly on Saturday when he headed in a late equaliser during the 2-2 draw at Everton.
McKenna said of the Scotland international: “It will be another frustration for us in the summer because we’ve missed him a lot this season when he hasn’t been available.
“He makes a good impact off the bench. When he’s had his chances to start, he’s done really well, probably deserves to play more but Liam’s form has been very good.
“I think he’s developing really well. I think he’s got a great chance. That profile of striker, taller, maybe gangly in their early 20s strikers, they tend to develop a little bit later. Often you look at some of those that have gone on to do really well, at 24, 25, they’re certainly not where they are at 28, 29, 30.
“I think he’s got a good chance to keep developing, he’s maturing well and it’s a really good moment for him.
“We know that Liam’s goal tally has been good and his performances have been good and had plenty of notice.
“But George knows, he can feel it day-to-day, that he’s getting better. He feels it and we all see it in training and he’s managed to show it at Premier League level.
“It’s a big, big jump from where he was a couple of years ago, so he’s not even had that much time playing Championship football as a starter, he only really had the first half of last season. The way he’s growing physically and mentally, I think he’s got a great chance to keep pushing on.”
The 26-year-old’s contract at Portman Road is not due to expire until the summer of 2027.
