Rangers and Premier League Side Chasing McAuley - Ipswich Town News
SPL champions Rangers are reported to be ready to make a move for Town central defender Gareth McAuley, who we also understand is interesting a Premier League side. The 30-year-old, who joined the Blues from Leicester City in 2008 for £1.1 million, was recently named the Supporters Club Player of the Year.
The Northern Irish international started 2009/10 poorly and looked set to leave Portman Road during the autumn when he lost the captaincy, but after switching agent he became more settled at the club and formed a more solid partnership with Damien Delaney during the latter half of the season.
Nevertheless, manager Roy Keane has rarely seemed entirely convinced by his central defensive pairing and may be willing to allow McAuley, who has a year left on his Town contract, to depart for the right price, probably significantly more than the £500,000 claimed this morning.
We understand the club has also received interest from a Premier League side for the ex-Lincoln City man.
Meanwhile, Town are still to comment on Tottenham’s £5 million offer for Connor Wickham, while we understand Stoke have firmed up their long-standing interest in skipper Jon Walters by making a formal offer, although the fee is unlikely to be at the £4 million mark previously reported.
Elsewhere, Football League clubs have voted to accept the increase in parachute payments for relegated clubs, which Town manager Roy Keane recently said would make promotion harder for established Championship sides.
What to read next:
Robins: I Think They've Been FantasticCoventry City boss Mark Robins was full of praise for Town following his side’s 2-1 home defeat to the Blues, which took Kieran McKenna’s men to within a point of promotion to the Premier League.
Morsy: We Showed ResilienceTown captain Sam Morsy highlighted the squad’s resilience after the Blues moved to within one point of promotion to the Premier League with a crucial 2-1 victory over Coventry City.
McKenna: Burns Injury Cramp, Clarke Knee ProblemTown boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Wes Burns and Leif Davis, who were both seen limping during this evening's 2-1 victory at Coventry City, have no big issues while Harry Clarke was unavailable for selection due to a knee problem.
Coventry City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Match ReportTown are one point away from a return to the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Kieffer Moore’s eighth minute goal gave the Blues a 1-0 half-time advantage, but the Sky Blues, who were in charge for long spells, levelled through Haji Wright on 64, however, Cameron Burgess restored the lead with his second goal of the season five minutes later and Town saw out 11 minutes of added-on time to secure three vital points and put them a single point away from back-to-back promotions.
Three Changes For Town at Coventry as Davis StartsTown boss Kieran McKenna makes three changes for this evening’s crunch final away game of the season against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena but Leif Davis is fit enough to start at left-back.