Far from harbouring a grudge, Town new boy Stephen Gleeson admits that Mick McCarthy releasing him when they were together at Wolves is the best thing that has happened to him in his time as a footballer.

Gleeson left his native Dublin at the age of 15 to join the Molineux academy at a time when Glenn Hoddle was in charge of first team affairs but it was McCarthy, who succeeded the ex-England boss in July 2006, who gave him his first team debut in April the following year.

He made four substitute appearances in the final weeks of 2006/07, including one in a play-off semi-final defeat at West Brom.

However, the following season - having made what would prove to be his only start in the old gold in the League Cup at the start of the campaign - he faded from the picture and when Wolves clinched the title to secure promotion to the Premier League in 2008/09 he spent the campaign loaned out to Stockport, where he had already had an earlier spell, and the MK Dons, who he joined on a permanent basis following his release that summer.

Fast forward to the present and Gleeson certainly isn’t bitter about the experience. He said: “I grew up watching Mick as Ireland manager and I was taken aback by his presence.

“Then I had him as my manager at Wolves, which was just brilliant. I’ve said it a lot of times, that without him knowing it he is probably the biggest influence on my career.

“I wasn’t quite good enough for the Championship at Wolves and when they moved up to the Premier League it gave me that kick up the backside that I needed to go and play football. I think it was a good thing that he did for me and I’ll always thank him for that.

“Him saying I wasn’t good enough for the Championship wasn’t nice to hear at the time. But it was the brutal, honest truth and it was probably what I needed at that young age. Looking back now, probably about 400 games on, it’s the best thing that has happened to me.

“We haven’t talked about it since I came here last week and he’s probably forgotten about it. But it will always stick in my mind and it definitely motivated me.

“I was young and I didn’t have experience but the amount of games I’ve played since moving on from Wolves has been amazing.

“When I first came over from Ireland I probably wasn’t thinking I would do that well.”

Such was Gleeson’s early promise that in 2007 he was only 18 when he made his senior international debut for the Republic, several months before making his first appearance at U21 level. It was only in March last year that he gained his third full cap, adding a fourth — and his first goal — three months later in a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in New Jersey.

The midfielder still has ambitions to represent his country but admitted: “I’m just thinking about club level at the moment. If the call-up comes it will mean I’m doing well for Ipswich Town, which will be great.

“Of course I want to play for my country, but until that moment comes I’ll be concentrating on Ipswich.”

Meanwhile, he is delighted with how quickly he has taken to life with Town, adding: “I’ve settled in quite well. I’m quite a character — it usually takes me a while to get to know people and for them to get to know me — but I feel I’ve really settled in.

“I think the away trip to Bolton helped because of the initiation and all that. I had to sing a song at the hotel and I went for Stand By Me.

“It wasn’t really good but it had to be done. It’s probably the worst part of football, the initiation song. I’ll take playing in front of 15,000 or 20,000 every week over that, so it’s good to get it out of the way.

“It was a bit hectic at the end of last week, training on Friday and then travelling, but this week’s been good, getting a week’s training in. They’re a good group of lads, they’ve taken me in and it’s been good.

“The squad is a lot smaller than what I’ve been used to. At Birmingham we sometimes had 30 players training. But the quality is definitely there and they are hard-working too.

“They have quality players at the top end of the pitch who can make a difference. A smaller squad can be a good thing — it has its benefits — but if you get a few more injuries it’s obviously not so good.

“With a smaller group you don’t have as many players who are being left out at the weekend. It’s a tight-knit group here — I noticed that straight away. They were very welcoming and you can see they have good relationships with each other.

“When we went 1-0 down at Bolton on Saturday you could see they were fighting for each other and that’s always a good sign as well. The minute I stepped in I could see they were a close group.”

Photos: TWTD/PagePix

DJpatrovers1 added 16:28 - Jan 25 Hopefully he puts in good performances when needed like Spence did and who knows what will happen in the summer.. Roll on Saturday
5

BlueMachines added 16:55 - Jan 25 Imagine if we had 20,000 watching at Portman Road. Ah, TWTD.
9

BlueArrow added 18:20 - Jan 25 Or 30,000 even every week @bluemachine now those WERE the days big sigh
4

cat added 18:38 - Jan 25 Pleased with ‘Glees' arrival as he could prove to be useful addition, but FFS, man up and grow a pair cause these player interviews reading off these back slapping all's good, good, good repetative scripts are as boring and predictable as a McCarthy pre match interview bigging up the opposition. Here's hoping that ‘Glees' injects more life and vigor into our midfield than he has the press room.

0

Northstandveteran added 18:43 - Jan 25 One thing you can say for McCarthy is that his players respect and give their all for him. Perhaps because he stands by them when their form drops etc. (Cue, proper bloke puns) whether this is a productive policy is a matter of opinion. Yes, we have got quality players at the top end of the pitch, we have decent championship strikers capable of taking their chances. This is what frustrates not only myself but other supporters. USE them then! Play to your strengths. We're pants at defending but have a great goals to shots ratio. At this stage of the season, relatively safe (he types in a not completely assured manner) throw caution to the wind and go all out on the attack. Even if it doesn't work, fans would return, the atmosphere in the ground would improve, maybe giving the players that extra lift. I can't remember the last time I felt a buzz inside the ground. A flying finish and who knows? All of Rensham's dreams might come true and Mick may be here another 700 days to add to the 100 he has left. #apologies Rensham 😂

1

Seasider added 18:49 - Jan 25 Don't know if Stephen felt so chuffed with Mick when he kicked him out of Wolves(see above).Everybody knows that he says it as it is;but feel that our Manager could be a bit more diplomatic both to the press and the fans,as well as players;but this proud Yorkshireman will never change.
1

Rensham added 19:08 - Jan 25 Has anyone told him Big Mick's leaving in 100days? Why wouldn't you mention it? The guy that's in control of your salary walks out the door in 100 days and it doesn't bother you?
2

Rensham added 04:38 - Jan 26 wasn't good enough for the championship in his prime, now at 32 he is?? make your mind up mick
-1

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls