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Scotland Town's Man on the Spot - Ipswich Town News

Let no one be confused — if Ipswich are awarded a penalty in any game this season, and Jason Scotland is on the pitch at the time, he will be taking it.

Scotland has made it abundantly clear that he wants to follow up his spotkick goal on the final day of last season, which clinched a 3-2 win at relegated Doncaster, as quickly as possible.

He said: "I see myself as the penalty taker. Put it this way — if I’m on the pitch when a penalty is given I will take it, for sure. If I’m not the boys can decide who takes it but if I’m out there it will be mine.

"I am looking forward to taking any penalties we are given but if we get one and I’ve come off or I’m on the bench it will obviously be down to someone else.”

But if Scotland is at pains to reinforce his view on spot-kick duties, he is not kidding himself that he can match co-striker Michael Chopra’s 30-goal target for the season.

He laughed: "The chemistry is good between Michael and I. We seem to complement each other well. He will go long and I will come short, and most times it seems to work.

"He has been looking sharp and I wouldn’t put it past him to get 30 goals. Hopefully I will be able to chip in as well — maybe not that many but I want to contribute as much as possible.”

Scotland’s determination to succeed in the new campaign was there for all to see as he starred in Tuesday’s 3-1 Capital One Cup first round win over Bristol Rovers at Portman Road.

He will also hope to figure from the start in tomorrow’s opening home league clash against Blackburn Rovers and confirmed there was never any chance of him not committing himself to a further year at the club he joined from Wigan in a £750,000 deal in August 2010.

Scotland, 33, saw his contract run out in June and only added his signature to a new 12-month deal a few weeks ago. But he added: "I was always going to stay here in Suffolk.

"There was never any chance of me not signing. I just went back to Trinidad for a holiday and to clear my head. Everything was agreed and I told the manager I would sign when I came back for pre-season training, which is what happened.

"I like it here. Carlos is here and we get on well, while they are a good bunch of lads in the squad. The gaffer and I also get on well, so why would I go anywhere else?”

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