Town boss Mick McCarthy says he has no problem with training on Christmas Day ahead of the traditional Boxing Day fixture in which the Blues meet QPR at Portman Road this afternoon, indeed he admits it provided a welcome escape back in his days as a player.

“I loved it, I don’t mind it now,” he said. “I’ve no problem with being in here on Christmas morning at all.

“I enjoy the craic with the lads, there’s always a good buzz about the place. I liked it even better when I was joining in the eight, nine, 10-a-side or whatever it was on Christmas Day morning, that was fab but that’s beyond me now, I’m afraid.

“So I just have to come in and officiate and do it particularly badly like most of the others.”

The squad will have made an early start to training yesterday so the players could spend most of the day with their families, however, he says some of them will already have been involved in domestic duties before making their way to Playford Road.

“We start early but people who have got kids, the kids might be up at five o’clock,” he added.

“When you’re playing away on Boxing Day you go and you sleep in a hotel at night, are probably there from six o’clock, you get your kip and you’re not up being tempted by Quality Street, Roses or mince pies and whatever other food that’s around.

“So there’s a bit to be said for being away, actually. But if we’re at home I’d never dream of putting them in a hotel, I think that would be counterproductive.

“We come in early but some of them, if it was like me, might have been up putting Sindy houses together and getting Action Man tanks and putting them together and playing games.

“And, like I say, at eight o’clock I used to apologise and say I’ve got to go to training’. Wahey!”

Photo: Action Images

Sir_Bob added 06:03 - Dec 26 Merry Christmas lads. Hope you all had a lovely day with your loved ones. Now for the hard work. 3 points today would be a fantastic belated Christmas present.
6

Ipswich Town Polls