QPR midfielder Shaun Derry has confirmed that he was close to joining the Blues in the summer. The 33-year-old, who was out of contract at Crystal Palace at the end of last season, says Town boss Roy Keane made a “huge impression” on him but that he was unable to agree terms at Portman Road.
Derry, who has been a key man for the league leaders this season, said: "I was close to joining Ipswich. I met Roy Keane and he made a huge impression on me.”
The club’s failure to sign Derry has been a source of frustration for Keane throughout the season, the Irishman outlining the situation in August: "Ten weeks ago, I had a player in my office who would have signed that afternoon, but we couldn’t do a deal for him. He’s now playing for a good team and doing well,” said Keane, who later confirmed that Derry was the player involved.
The former Sheffield United and Leeds man similarly says that the move broke down after unsuccessful contract negotiations with Town’s money men before he was reunited with one of his former bosses in West London: "You’ve hit the nail on the head there.
"Fate took me to Loftus Road and I couldn’t be happier. I also have the utmost respect for Neil Warnock. He’s the one who gave me a chance when I was in the wilderness at Leeds and I felt I owed him. It was a tough decision to make but I am satisfied that I made the right one.”