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Keane Impressed With Clark - Ipswich Town News

Manager Roy Keane says academy midfielder Billy Clark made a tackle he would have been proud of himself during Wednesday’s 2-0 FA Youth Cup win at Tranmere. Many observers picked out Ipswich-born Clark as the Blues’ best performer during the third round victory in which Connor Wickham and Josh Carson netted the goals.

Keane was impressed with the 18-year-old’s combative display: "He’s a good player. He likes a tackle, which is good.

"The art of tackling seems to be going out of the game, everyone just wants to play fancy stuff. He set up the first goal with a very, very good challenge, I would have been proud of it myself!”

The Blues boss joined the academy staff for the long trek to Prenton Park and was impressed by the young Blues: "I enjoyed the game, Tranmere did very, very well, it was a tough game. We scored two good goals and it was a good boost for the club as you want your kids to have a good run in the FA Youth Cup.

"I’m delighted for Chris Kiwomya and Sammy Morgan and the staff down there. They’re good coaches, enthusiastic and they’re working very hard.

"They’re a decent bunch, the young kids aren’t bad, let me tell you. But we would like a home draw in the next round as Tranmere was a bit of a trip coming back. That’s the glamour of it, sitting in a mini-bus with the other staff watching movies and drinking cold tea!”

Town last won the FA Youth Cup in 2005, having previously been successful in 1973 and 1975.

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