x

McKenna: Morsy an Integral Part of the Club as We Move Forward - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Kieran McKenna says there was never any doubt that Sam Morsy was going to continue as the Blues captain in the Premier League, even if he believes the Egypt international needs to work on his goal celebrations.

Morsy, who turned 33 earlier this month, netted his first Premier League goal in the dying moments at Southampton last week to seal Town’s third draw on the bounce.

In doing so, he became the fourth Blues player to score for the club in the top three divisions, following Ted Phillips, John Elsworthy and Jimmy Leadbetter from the team which won the Third Division South, Second and First Division titles under Sir Alf Ramsey. Morsy himself has now netted in the top four divisions over the course of his career.

"It was a nice way to finish a game and, of course, gives a better feeling to the training ground,” McKenna reflected on the last-gasp leveller at St Mary’s.
 
"But we don't swing too drastically one way or another in terms of our work here as to whether that goal goes in or not.

"And it's been really good to have the time [on the training ground]. I still feel that we are in the early stages with the squad. I have to say post the international break, last week was our first full week.

"Another week this week and bit by bit I think the understanding's improving at the training ground and, of course, we're trying to translate that into matches at the highest level that we could possibly be at.

"So that makes a big challenge, but I'm looking forward to seeing some good signs again this weekend.”

Regarding Morsy’s goal celebration, he laughed: "It's one of the shorter knee slides that I've seen, I have to say. I think there's a bit of work to do on the technique of the slide!
 
"But he's scored a few big goals for us, to be fair, and he's always come up with a slightly different celebration. Maybe he isn't a regular enough scorer yet to have a stock or a custom one. But if he can keep popping up with big goals then he can do whatever he wants.”

McKenna says there was never any question that Morsy would continue to skipper the Blues in the top flight.
 
"It was never in doubt in my mind that amongst all the decisions we had to make in the summer,” he said.

"I think Sam was always going to be the club captain this year and be an absolutely integral part of the football club as we move forward, and as we try and establish ourselves as a Premier League club and develop our culture with a new group of players and some new staff. He always going to be integral to that.
 
"Performance-wise, I think his performances were really strong last season in the Championship and that was maybe his first season that he'd been operating at the very top end of the Championship.

"I think he performed very well and more than deserved his chance to be a big part on the pitch this season as well. And he came back and he performed well in pre-season and he's performing well in the early games.
 
"He's still got improving to do, he's still got growth to make to be performing as well as he possibly can. And he's the mindset who will always be striving to get better. But it's really good to have him here still as an important player for us off the pitch and on the pitch.”

What to read next:

Grant Talks With Huddersfield Ongoing
Talks between Blues first-team coach Lee Grant and Huddersfield Town regarding their management vacancy are ongoing, TWTD understands.
Norwich Target Long-Serving Town Academy Coach Klug
Long-serving Blues academy coach, former assistant boss and three-time caretaker-manager Bryan Klug is being targeted by Norwich City, TWTD understands.
Town XI to Face Lowestoft in Pre-Season
A Town XI will play a pre-season friendly against Lowestoft Town at Crown Meadow on Saturday 5th July (KO 3pm).
Chelsea Strong Favourites to Sign Delap
Chelsea are now the strong favourites to sign Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.
Chaplin: The Club is in a Much Better Place Than it Was a Year Ago
Town will return to the Championship in a much better place than they left it a year ago, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Phillips: McKenna Made Me Believe in Myself Again
On-loan Blues midfielder Kalvin Phillips, whose spell at Portman Road is up now the season is at an end, has said his goodbyes and says Town manager Kieran McKenna made him believe in himself again.
Luongo: Together We Have Created Incredible Memories
Exiting Town midfielder Massimo Luongo has thanked everyone at Portman Road having created “incredible” memories together during his time at the club.
Town Bookies' Early Favourites For Championship Title
Town are the bookies’ early favourites to win the 2025/26 Championship title.
Town Coach Grant Linked With Terriers Job
Blues first-team coach Lee Grant is reportedly among the options to take over as manager at League One Huddersfield Town.
Enciso: Thanks For Supporting Me and For the Love
Departing loanee Julio Enciso has said his farewells and thanked everyone at Portman Road following his half-season spell at the club.