x

McKenna: Keogh Settling in Very Well - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Kieran McKenna says new central defender Richard Keogh has settled back into life at Portman Road very well following his move from Blackpool earlier in the week.

Keogh, who was 36 yesterday, has returned to Portman Road having been an academy schoolboy at Playford Road 20 years ago.

Having been out with a groin injury which saw him miss the Tangerines' first two matches this season, the Blues manager says he's joined in with training since signing for Town.

"He's settled in very well, exactly as we would expect,” McKenna said. "Firstly, as a person around the building, not just in the dressing room but even around the building in general and around the staff.

"He's a great person to have around. He is a very humble and very empathetic person who is a really good communicator with players, young and old and staff members as well, so he's going to be a great addition to our culture here.

"He's trained in two sessions and you can see straight away his qualities, his experience, the way he communicates in training sessions and the habits that he has that have helped him to have such a successful career.

"So we're really happy with how he's settled in and I think he's going to have a big part to play in the group.”

McKenna says the former Republic of Ireland international’s leadership qualities will benefit the Blues on and off the pitch.

"Very much so,” he said. "It is something that we looked at from the summer and a profile that we wanted to fill.

"The teams who are often successful at this level do have somebody of that nature. Very often, there is an experienced defender in there who can contribute in key moments and in key games and key points in the season but who can also contribute to the culture of the whole squad.

"It was a profile that we looked at and I think Richard is a fantastic addition in that way. And he's been through all the highs and lows during such a long career at club and international level, and those experiences can only benefit us.”

McKenna says returning to the club where his career began - although he was released without being offered a full-time scholarship - was part of the draw for the central defender, who was with Saturday's opponents the MK Dons for a spell the season before last.

"I think that was a big attraction for him when I had a first discussion with him,” he said. "He came through the system at Ipswich and had time in the academy here and has family in north Essex as well.

"So it was an important part of his development as a young footballer, he didn't go on to play for the club, but I think he definitely feels as though he's coming full circle now and hopefully at an exciting time and there’s a chance for him to be part of an important time in the club's history and an important project for the club now.

"And that's something that he wants to be part of this season and who knows in the seasons going forward. I think it's a nice step for him, and he's really proud and happy, and rightly he should be.”

What to read next:

TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
There’s still time for you to fill in the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Six Released as Town Women Announce Retained List
Ipswich Town Women have announced their retained list following the 2024/25 season in which they won the FAWNL Southern Premier League title and promotion to the second tier, now known as the WSL2, for the first time with six senior players released.
Ex-Town Loanee Andrews Now Strong Favourite For Brentford Job
Former Blues loanee Keith Andrews is now an odds-on favourite with all bookies offering prices on the Brentford job, Town boss Kieran McKenna having drifted out overnight.
Hutchinson Focused on Euros
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson insists his focus is on winning the European Championship with England’s U21s rather than his future at club level.
McKenna Some Bookies' Favourite For Brentford Job
Town boss Kieran McKenna is some bookies’ early favourite for the vacant Brentford job following confirmation that Thomas Frank has taken charge at Tottenham Hotspur, but with little real clarity on who the Bees’ next head coach might be.
Hutchinson's England U21s Win Euros Opener
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson helped England’s U21s to a 3-1 victory over Czechia in their opening group game at the European Championship in Slovakia.
Valencia Linked With Burgess
La Liga Valencia are showing interest in Town centre-half Cameron Burgess, according to Spanish reports.
Hutchinson's England U21s' Euros Campaign Starts Against Czechs
Town forward Omari Hutchinson and his England U21s teammates get their European Championship campaign under way when they face Czechia in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia this evening (KO 8pm, Channel 4).
Town Fans Take Total Raised For Food Bank to £20,000
Town supporters donated more than £6,000 to Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks in 2024/25, taking the overall total raised since the group began their monthly matchday collections in January 2023 to £20,000.