Town midfielder Ryan Stevenson insists he has no regrets about moving south, even if he could have been looking forward to participating in the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday. Former club Hearts, surprise semi-final winners over Celtic, take on Hibs in an all-Edinburgh showdown at Hampden Park.

Stevenson, who has been offered a matchday role working for a television company, has so far been only been a bit-part player for Town and sees next season as his best opportunity to become an established member of Paul Jewell’s starting line-up.

He said: “I am very happy to have come to Ipswich and I’m looking forward, not back. I’m pleased for my former club and all my friends there that they are in the final and the fact that they are playing Hibs gives it plenty of added spice.

“Hearts will be favourites because they are so many places higher in the league but Hibs have not won the Scottish Cup for 110 years and you can’t help but think their day will come at some point, although I hope it’s not going to be this year.”

By the time he returns for the start of pre-season training at Playford Road on July 5th, the 27-year-old former Chelsea youngster will be in the last year of his contract at Ipswich — but it is not something that causes him any anxiety.

He added: “I’m to just wait and see what happens. I’m here until the end of next season so there’s no rush. I’ll speak to my agent and the manager over the summer and see where we are.

“I’m just happy to be here. I’ll come back for pre-season training, try to impress and see where we go from there. I’m not going to rush anything. I’ll have a good summer and leave the contract to my agent.

“I’ll be working hard over the next couple of months. With the sort of person I am I always keep myself fit over the summer but this summer is more important than any other for me because I want to come back here and do well in the Championship.

“I’ll have a couple of weeks back in Scotland, resting and recharging the batteries, and then get straight back into it. I am already looking forward to the new season and the challenge it will bring.”

Stevenson believes there are plenty of players north of the border who could follow him into England and added: “Despite the troubles that are happening up there just now there are some good teams — and good players — in the SPL.

“I’m not overawed by the Championship. There are plenty of players who have come here from the SPL and they are holding their own in the Premier League, never mind the Championship. For me it will be something fresh, something new and it is exciting even to think about it.”

Photo: Action Images

SuperReuser added 09:04 - May 17 STEVO STEVO STEVO
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SouperJim added 09:17 - May 17 Lets hope he's given a fair crack of the whip, would be nice to see another player in the starting 11 who has something to prove and actually wants to be here.
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fussysnake added 09:30 - May 17 Positive words from a positive man! Seems keen to want to play for us and is dedicated to the cause! Would like to see him get a run in the team next season... A terrific lad!
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BlueBailey24 added 09:48 - May 17 I seem to like him more with every interview he does, always so positive and committed! hope he gets a good run next season!
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walberswick added 10:01 - May 17 "With the sort of person I am I always keep myself fit "
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jas0999 added 10:02 - May 17 Haven't really seen enough of him yet, but scored a great goal at Doncaster. Hopefully it will work out for him here and at 27 is certainly in the right age bracket. Perhaps should have been given more of a chance by PJ last term - especially as Bowyer/Leadbitter/Murphy all on their way out - but could be a regular for the next season or two.
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chopschipsallin added 11:30 - May 17 I think he will fade if he wasnt good enough for SPL he aint good enough for Championship, when Norwich re-built they brought no one from the SPL and Lambert is Scottish so therefore would probs no best COYB
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ScottITFC14 added 12:13 - May 17 Not good enough for SPL?! How did you come to that conclusion? You don't get a call-up to the Scotland squad if you're not good enough for the SPL. The majority of the Scotland squad is made up of Premier League and top Championship players.
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Maverick_Mitch added 12:21 - May 17 Liked what I saw when he played - always a team guy and yes it's good to have players committed to the cause.
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walberswick added 12:57 - May 17 "I'm here until the end of next season so there's no rush. I'll speak to my agent." Keeping fit and looking for a new club.
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chopschipsallin added 13:17 - May 17 ScottITFC14 are you deluded the scotland squad has no top champ players in it and hardly any EPL players
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Abullardnightout added 13:19 - May 17 Scotland has no decent players, I dont think I would want one of them in our team. Ok they may be passionate but that will last for about a month and then it will be another player not good enough for the first team
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sereneblue added 13:21 - May 17 Walberswick. Are you trying to make another one of your negative comments or are you just standing in a room with an echo !!
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walberswick added 13:23 - May 17 In a dark room with a laptop and a chair. no echo
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sereneblue added 13:28 - May 17 Your only friend.......a chair!
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walberswick added 13:29 - May 17 The chair isn't keen on me.
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ScottITFC14 added 14:04 - May 17 chopschipsallin, Premier League: Gordon, Bardsley,Hutton, Hanley, Berra, Caldwell,Adam, Fletcher, Dorrans, Morrison, Bannan, McArthur, Maloney, Goodwillie, Mackie Championship: Marshall, Crainey, McManus, Conway, Snodgrass, Robson, Phillips, Cowie, Bryson, Mackail-Smith, Miller I suppose I'm still deluded? How many of those players would you be disappointed if we signed this summer?

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DiamondGezzer added 14:51 - May 17 Wouldn't it be great if all football players spoke like this. Hope it works out for you next season.
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Maverick_Mitch added 15:03 - May 17 Why oh why are ITFC supporters so negative? If we got promoted they would only be saying 'Ah but we'll be relegated by the end of the season'! My glass is always half full not half empty (unless someones offering to fill it up!!)
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mattraisin added 17:54 - May 17 Walberswick's ability to copy&paste is second to none.
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billlm added 18:00 - May 17 get your money on leeds next season or are they now called leedsmouth as 3-4 portsmouth players are going there the stories are
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BuckieBlue added 18:11 - May 17 Quite a wide range of comments on here re. Scottish football. Why not watch Scottish cup final on Saturday and see what you think? (Hopefully after suggesting that, it'll be a decent game!). Phil can you/ are you allowed to tell us which TV station Ryan is working for on Saturday? Also, did anyone see our ex-loanee Rory Fallon's goal in the semi final for Aberdeen...that was Premiership standard!

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:18 - May 17 walberswick - do u need an ambulance?
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walberswick added 19:47 - May 17 Maybe, things are looking pretty dark.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:36 - May 17 Press that switch on the wall.
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