Blues winning goalscorer Bersant Celina insists Town still have “plenty to play for” in the remaining months of the season with the four-point gap to the play-offs “not a lot”.
The 21-year-old, who is on loan for the campaign from Manchester City, smashed a brilliant winner in the 67th minute to see the Blues to Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Leeds United, who had had Eunan O’Kane sent off in the 37th minute for head-butting Jonas Knudsen.
Kosovo international Celina was delighted with his strike, which he felt was up there with his finest, as well as with the three points.
"It was a good goal so I’m really happy for myself, the team and the fans,” he said. "It was definitely one of the best goals I have scored as a professional.”
Celina, who has now scored eight goals in 17 starts and nine sub appearances for the Blues, hopes the boss of his parent club, Pep Guardiola, catches his latest goal of the season contender.
WOW!!!!! @ManCity loanee @BersantCelina's run and excellent finish sends @Official_ITFC fans wild in a tense game against @LUFC. #ITFC
âž¡ï¸ @EFL highlights from 9pm on @channel5_tv. pic.twitter.com/6tSpCNP2KW– Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) January 13, 2018
"I hope he sees it,” he added. "I don’t know how it works but I’m sure he will see it on a TV screen somewhere. I hope he is impressed.
"I’m really happy with Ipswich and playing games. I need to carry on for the next four months and help the team, keep playing and doing well.”
Saturday’s win ended a run of five games without a win and while the Blues remained 12th, they're now four points from the play-offs, a gap which Celina believes is surmountable.
"We still have plenty to play for," he insisted. "Everyone plays for the team and for themselves. I’m playing for my career.
"People are watching so you have to do your best. It is no good thinking the season is over or you are not playing for anything.
"Maybe for the older players that’s the case, but I’m sure the younger players want to do well in every single game.
"Crazy things happen in football and four points is not a lot. If we can win the next two games then everything can change.”
Next up are Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium next Saturday before a tough home match against leaders Wolves at Portman Road the following weekend.
The Trotters, who are 21st following Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Brentford, were one of the leading contenders to sign Celina on loan in the summer.
"I could have gone to Bolton but I chose Ipswich and I’m glad I did,” he confirmed. "Hopefully I can go there and score against them as well.”
Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips says Whites boss Thomas Christiansen was pleased with his team’s display despite the result.
"The manager and staff congratulated us on a good performance but we were unlucky to concede a goal, which can happen when you are down to 10 men,” he said.
"I didn’t see what happened with Eunan [regarding his sending off] so I can’t comment. That happens in football.”
Despite Leeds now having gone four games without a win in all competitions, Phillips says there’s no need for alarm bells to ring.
"I believe we are still on track,” he insisted. "We lost but we shouldn’t panic, we will go to Millwall and try and put it right against them.”
Meanwhile, Town's U23s are in action against QPR at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).
Elsewhere, Martin O'Neill has turned down the chance to become Stoke manager meaning his Republic of Ireland job won't become vacant.
Last week, one bookie made Blues manager Mick McCarthy the favourite to succeed O'Neill if he left his current role.