Town boss Mick McCarthy says keeper Bartosz Bialkowski has had a smile on his face from ear to ear since learning of his first ever call into the Polish national squad, news which was confirmed this morning.

McCarthy says he remembers receiving his first call from the Republic of Ireland and what it meant to him.

“It’s a long time ago, but I do remember it. Eoin Hand ringing me at Manchester City and telling me I was going to be called up and how thrilled I was,” he recalled.

“It was great news and I loved it and Bart’s had a smile on his face from ear to ear since yesterday.

“I got the call from his coach while I was out on the training ground, I was watching training yesterday and I was delighted for him.

“Who knows? He’s got a bit of momentum. Now he’s got in the squad, maybe he’ll travel to the World Cup, I sincerely hope he does. And when he’s there, he might play.”

McCarthy says the 30-year-old’s call-up is fully warranted: “He deserves it from the performances he’s produced here, without a doubt.

“I don’t know what the Polish keepers are, they might be somebody saying that they deserve it.

“But if you’re judging on what we’ve seen of him here, he’s been head and shoulders one of the best keepers in the league for the last two seasons. He does deserve his call-up.”

McCarthy says Bialkowski has progressed over the last couple of seasons having become the firm first choice ahead of Dean Gerken.

“I think it’s quite obvious the fact that he’s been playing all the time, that’s how much he’s come on,” McCarthy continued.

It's been long overdue, but Bartosz Bialkowski has been called up to the Poland squad 👏🇵🇱

Here's why... 👇 #itfc pic.twitter.com/fcRQMPNHET– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) March 9, 2018

“It got to a stage where if Bart was playing or Gerks was playing, if they played and they got in the team they stayed in the team and the other one would play in the cup games.

“And it always took one of them to get injured or something to happen for the other one to get in the team.

“I guess thankfully for Bart he’s maintained his fitness, nothing’s happened to him. He had a bereavement when he came of the team one time.

“And he’s just stayed there despite Gerks whenever he’s come in, he’s played in the cup games or any time he’s had to play, he’s been great. But Bart’s been exceptional.”

Even if the former Southampton and Notts County man doesn’t make the cut for Russia in the summer, he will still only be 32 when the Euros come around in two years’ time and he could have a chance of being involved then.

“Yes, he has, that’s a bonus for him,” the Blues boss added. “You look at him, he’s really slim and slender and athletic, he’ll probably play until he’s 40, Bart.

“But I’m sure he’d like to get in this one, a World Cup in Russia. And if he’s in this one, once you get in the squads, sometimes it’s almost difficult to get out of it, you’ve got to do a lot wrong once you’ve been in and you’ve travelled, other people beneath you have got a lot to do to knock you out of the squad.”

Photo: TWTD

terryf added 15:37 - Mar 9 No disrespect to Dean Gerken but despite what McCarthy says he is not in the same league as Bart. The fans kept telling McCarthy, but what do we know and I thought it was appaling when Bart's Father died and he obviously had to miss a game that the Manager did not re-instate him on his return from Poland. This is just one example, of many, why McCarthy has alienated himself from the Supporters. Too many favourites and serving up boring football. Give us something positive to shout about Mick!!!

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therein61 added 17:15 - Mar 9 Totally agree with you "terryf" Micks treatment of Bart when his father died was appalling and had his chosen favourite goalkeeper not had an injury Bart would not have had a look in and would have been frozen out the same as he has done to several players, and now it looks like Freddies turn!! his attitude is suck up or f**k off(fans included) that's what makes our once club the utter shambles it is today!!!!!! I expect a post siesta down mark any time soon!

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Mark added 18:12 - Mar 9 The fans were definitely proved right on this one, that Bialkowski is a much better goalkeeper than Gerken. I agree it was very harsh on Bart to lose his place for so long after the death of his father, even if missing a few matches may be expected in those circumstances. Still, I can't be too hard on MM as he did sign Bart in the first place and finally sorted our a problem position for Ipswich - between the sticks.

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VulpineBlue added 18:14 - Mar 9 Congratulations Bart. Well deserved.
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Kirbmeister added 19:09 - Mar 9 Any old excuse to slag off Mick - even a positive story about our best player. So bored with this site now.
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runningout added 21:13 - Mar 9 Bart has admitted he wasn't ready to play for quite a while after his father passed away. Never a right time for an injury, but it happens, and in the case of keepers quite a bit. Example Pope at Burnley who maybe up for International call up too
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