When Christophe Berra signed for Town last summer it did not go unnoticed that he had failed to score even once in 154 appearances for previous club Wolves.

But he goes into Saturday’s final fixture of his first season at Portman Road with five goals in 44 games in all competitions, a similar return to defensive partner Tommy Smith.

Berra said: “I don’t know why there has been such a difference but I managed to get my first goal in my first league start and maybe that took the pressure off.

“Things have fallen my way and I’ve just managed to get there. I had chances at Wolves — there were some where I could have done better or the keeper made a good save — but it just didn’t happen really.

“I’ve scored a couple of goals for Scotland as well so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be scoring and this season I’ve done pretty well in the goalscoring charts.”

His form for Town earned Berra a recall to Gordon Strachan’s international squad and he is looking forward to the start of the Euro qualifiers, with the Scots drawn alongside group rivals Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Georgia and Gibraltar.

Scotland start with the toughest assignment of all, a visit to Germany on September 7th, and Berra added: “It will be a big campaign for Scotland. It’s a group we think we can do well in but so will all the other teams.

“We’ve done well in the friendlies but it’s all about getting the points in the games that matter and if we do they will take care of themselves.”

Before that, of course, England are the only one of the home nations taking part in next month’s World Cup finals to be hosted by Brazil.

Berra said: “They are in a group alongside Italy and Uruguay so I think it will be tough for them to advance beyond that stage.”

Photo: Action Images

rambohambo added 12:14 - May 2 Just shows some players are ment for other teams , look at delany
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Lightningboy added 12:14 - May 2 More of the same next season from the defenders would be fantastic - they've put the midfield to shame as far as goalscoring's concerned. A goalscoring midfielder should be Mick's priority this summer.
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TimmyH added 12:51 - May 2 Yep well done Berra - done well as has Smith in that regard, but as for Hyam, Hunt, Skuse, Tabb etc...oh dear!
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Surco72 added 14:29 - May 2 2 central defenders joint third highest goalscorers ,well done boys ,really highlights how defensively minded we are set up we are in midfield though
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