Bersant Celina won his seventh international cap as Kosovo lost 2-0 at home to Ukraine in their penultimate World Cup qualifier, but David McGoldrick was absent from the Republic of Ireland squad as two goals from ex-Blue Daryl Murphy saw his side to a crucial 2-0 victory over Moldova in Dublin.

Celina, who is on loan with Town from Manchester City for the season, played the full 90 minutes and impressed for the Kosovans, who are still to win a competitive international and are bottom of their group ahead of their final qualifier in Iceland on Monday.

McGoldrick, 29, joined up with the Irish squad earlier in the week having been forced off with a hamstring injury during Town’s 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City last weekend.

Having undergone a scan and been given the all-clear, the six-times-capped striker trained for the next few days but was one of a number of players omitted from the squad ahead of tonight’s match.

Murphy, now with Nottingham Forest, netted in the second and 19th minutes for Ireland as they secured a vital win against the Moldovans.

Ireland play Wales - who won 1-0 in Georgia courtesy of a stunner from ex-Blues loanee Tom Lawrence - in their last qualifier in Cardiff on Monday.

With Austria having beaten group leaders Serbia 3-2, both sides still having a chance of winning the group and automatically qualifying for next summer's finals in Russia or finishing second and claiming a place in the play-offs. Serbia host Georgia in their final game.

Elsewhere, Blues youngster Monty Patterson was an unused sub as New Zealand lost 2-1 to Japan in a friendly in Nagoya.

Midfielder Tristan Nydam wasn’t in the matchday squad for the England U19s as they lost 1-0 away in the Czech Republic in a friendly.

Photo: Action Images

JohnyJohnson added 23:14 - Oct 6 Murphy is a fine wine
7

bigolconnor added 23:21 - Oct 6 A perfect assessment JohnyJohnson
3

mickeyjb added 03:50 - Oct 7 Agreed, Murphy's goals were the type he was getting us a few years back. Shows age doesn't matter too much when you keep yourself in good shape. Hope dids is ok! And not sure why Nydam didn't get into the Under 19's.
4

Bluewelshman added 06:50 - Oct 7 Tom Lawrence...Get in my son. COYB
4

dirtydingusmagee added 07:30 - Oct 7 well done Daryl, !
7

Seasider added 12:38 - Oct 7 I always like to see current and former Ipswich players get into their national teams,as it shows that they have quality. I know that there is a risk of injury;but I am sure that all the participants are really chuffed to be representing their country,and as Tristan Nydam said recently,it helps to improve them as players. Talking of past players Murphs international performance seems to be improving,even at this late stage in his career(winner for Eire).Jon Walters has been a regular,as has Gareth McCauley,who I think has played nearly 20 consecutive games for the Emerald Isle. Ipswich have had some great players over the years,as well a plenty of duffers.It is such a pity that we have been unable to hang onto the former category.

6

blueboy1981 added 15:35 - Oct 7 ...... McGoldrick missing out will do us no harm - not a multi game run person,as we all know. Would surely of ended with a 'twinge' or similar, had he played.
5

VulpineBlue added 22:49 - Oct 7 Seasider, spot on. Each time we seem to have players around whom we can build we seem to lose them. Our club is not alone in this, as I know supporters of other clubs feel the same. I sincerely hope that we can keep the good kernal of the current team and build on it.
1

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls