Town boss Roy Keane says new goalkeeper Brian Murphy can use his move to Town as a springboard into the Irish national side. Former Bohemians keeper Murphy, who officially joins the Blues in January, recently received his first call into the Ireland squad but is yet to win a full cap.

Keane says the 26-year-old impressed him when he was at Portman Road for talks in August: “In terms of players I’ve brought to the club and the players I brought in at Sunderland, he was certainly up there in terms of first impressions.

“He spoke really well, he’s got a good attitude, he’s hungry and squeezed into the Irish senior squad. I’m looking forward to him coming to the club.

“Obviously he can’t play until January, but he’s going to come over a week or two into December to have his own mini-pre-season with us, but he’s played a lot of games in Ireland this year, just like Colin Healy when he came to us.

“He’s coming to challenge for the first team 100%. We need competition for positions and he’s got a chance of being a top keeper. He’ll be vying for a first team place, I wouldn’t have brought him in otherwise.

“He’s been to England before and he’s had a taste of it. He’s been back to Ireland and what he’s got is what every player should have - hunger.”

Keane says Murphy will be out to challenge Shay Given for the Ireland jersey within the next couple of years: “That would be the plan. Maybe even sooner than that.”

Meanwhile, TWTD understands that Town are one of a number of clubs to have shown interest in out-of-favour Tottenham left-back Gareth Bale. Nottingham Forest have previously been linked with a move for the former Southampton man, but have now signed Nicky Shorey on loan from Aston Villa.

Photo: Action Images

hype313 added 16:06 - Nov 25 He obviously has something against Given. He has been one of the most consistent Goalkeepers over the past ten years for Newcastle and has produced some outstanding saves for Dubai City this season. Not that i have seen this Murphy in action but, please, a guy who plays in the Eirecom league is considered to be close to taking Shay's spot. Garbage, utter garbage. Like I said in a previous post, I support the team to the hill and back and bleed blue, but RK is really starting to concern me.

0

Surco72 added 16:06 - Nov 25 Bale would be a good signing ,maybe switch Wright to other flank and push Rosenoir on,good cover for rest of season in either position . Who did Murphy play for in England ?
0

FormerlyCGS added 16:06 - Nov 25 Gareth Bale woud be a great signing!
0

FormerlyCGS added 16:07 - Nov 25 I thnk he used to warm the bench for man city!
0

ITFC1985 added 16:18 - Nov 25 Im pretty sure Roy Keane is just saying that Murphy has good potential to take over from Given when he retires, ive heard good things about this keeper and whos to say he wont replace Given at some point? Hype313 i think you read into Keanes comments wrong as he hasnt said anything bad about Given at all
0

PablosRightBoot added 16:20 - Nov 25 Murphy is really experienced with his 1 appearance for Peterbrough haha
0

PimsNumber1 added 16:27 - Nov 25 he appeared to blame given for not collecting the ball before france scored
0

Markie31 added 16:33 - Nov 25 Id be chuffed if Bale came to town, great player.
0

PablosRightBoot added 16:50 - Nov 25 Bale will get injured probably
0

brogansnose added 16:56 - Nov 25 So far today we have been linked with Ian Harte and Gareth Bale , both left backs. I know who i prefer.
0

Keaneish added 20:11 - Nov 25 Hype313 - i think it reads, Keane says Murphy will be out to challenge Shay Given for the Ireland jersey within the next couple of years: “That would be the plan. Maybe even sooner than that.” In a couple of years Given will be approaching 36 years old so this isn't that ridiculous a statement is it? It also says, 'challenging' for his spot, not 'close to getting' his spot. Still concerned with RK and his logical statement?

0

Berts_chin added 20:27 - Nov 25 Certainly suggests that Murphy will come straight into the first team in January. But then so too did Healy back in August.
0

FenboyBlue added 20:39 - Nov 25 Brian Murphy: "Mildred !! That nice Mr Keane is saying good things about me again" Mildred: "Oh George, I feel like an early night" Brian : (terrified look to camera) Credits
0

jas0999 added 21:05 - Nov 25 Hopefully Murphy will prove to be a decent keeper - goodness - Richard Wright has hardlt excelled has he? Too many very costly errors. As for bale - would be an outstanding signing BUT surely a keeper and striker are a priority?
0

Keaneish added 21:49 - Nov 25 Talking of signings, someone threw Welbeck's name into the hat as a potential striker. On tonight's display against Besiktas I'd have to second that - what are the chances Fergie?
0

SouperJim added 22:12 - Nov 25 I'd rather have that obertan
0

Blueknight85 added 01:00 - Nov 26 you all live in a dream world we may aswell try and loan darren bent. life isnt like a computer game you cant click a button and make a loan offer and boom hes there the next day there are probably 1 or 2 strikers worth loaning in that would be willing to go on loan and allowed to go by their clubs and there will be 24 championship clubs that want them so lay off.

0

hype313 added 10:34 - Nov 26 Keaneish - Thanks for the patronising feedback, I feel so much better now you have cleared that up for me.
0

onlybluesandhorses added 10:52 - Nov 26 I see, so in the case of Rhodes RK did not think he could step up to the championship from impressing in League 2 but with Murphy he thinks he can go from the Irish League to international football!
0

BurleyForever added 13:15 - Nov 26 Persuade Shane Supple to Come back
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls