Boss Mick McCarthy says departed midfielder Kundai Benyu didn’t look like he was going to contribute at Portman Road until he persuaded the 19-year-old, who joined Celtic on a four-year deal earlier this month, to go on loan to Vanarama National League Aldershot last season.
McCarthy had been keen to keep the Camden-born youngster at Town after his successful spell at Aldershot and had intended to take up an option in the player’s contract which would have kept him at the club while also offering him a longer-term new deal.
However, there was a complication which meant the option couldn’t be exercised in the usual manner and he moved on at the end of his contract.
Quizzed on the precise circumstances surrounding the academy product’s exit, McCarthy remained tight-lipped: "He’s gone to Celtic now.”
Reflecting on Benyu’s time at Town, he added: "He’d not contributed as yet and he didn’t look like he was going to do until I insisted he went to Aldershot and played some football, which he didn’t want to do.
"And then, of course, he did and some agents have got involved and he’s got a move. Let’s see whether he’s a success up there.
"They do keep the ball and he does have the ability to do that. Let’s see how much money we get for him first because I didn’t have any bids from anyone in England.”
It’s anticipated that the Blues will receive FIFA training compensation in the low hundred thousands.
"If it is low hundreds of thousands, as you say, no one was offering that in terms of him going anywhere else,” McCarthy continued. "I don’t know, I can’t speak about it until it happens.”
While Benyu may have gone, the Blues have a number of other promising young central midfielders coming through from the academy with Andre Dozzell away with the England U19s and Flynn Downes and Tristan Nydam among those all involved against Drogheda.
"What I’ve seen of Flynn Downes and Tristan and Dozzer, I’m more than happy with that,” McCarthy added. "He’s gone, good luck to him. I’m not bothered about players who have left.
"Just be aware I did try to sign him so it wasn’t like I tried to push him out the door because that story will emanate from somewhere and that wasn’t the case with Kundai Benyu. But, like I say, he’s gone, so he’s done, the other lads I’m delighted with.”