Midfielder Jack Taylor was delighted to mark his Town debut with a goal as the Blues beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 in the Carabao Cup first round at Portman Road last night.

Taylor, signed from Peterborough for an initial £1.5 million earlier in the summer, stroked home Kayden Jackson’s cross in the 12th minute, Omari Hutchinson having cleverly stepped over as the ball came across.

“It was obviously a great night, but the main objective was to go through,” Taylor said. “In a cup competition you just want to get through to the next round and to get a goal was the icing on the cake for me.

“It was a great goal, we work on patterns like that every day in training, so for it to come off, especially so early in the game was perfect.

“Omari did so well, I thought he was going to swing with his right foot but thank God he let it go to me and I’m delighted to score.”

Taylor says breaking into the area from which he scored is an important element of what he brings to the side.

“That’s a big part of my game, arriving into the box nice and late, getting on the end of things,” he said.

“It was a good pattern of play, we work on things like that every day in training, so to pull it off in a game was perfect.”

The 25-year-old wasn’t too far away from a second, Rovers defender Tristan Crama nodding his looping effort off the line with the visitors’ keeper in no-man’s land.

“I probably should have done better, thinking back at it,” he admitted. “But I think the more it goes on, the more goals I’ll get.”

Reflecting on his first appearance overall, he added: “I’m very proud tonight to put on the jersey, especially in front of a crowd. I didn’t expect so many to come out tonight, which was really good.

“They were so good tonight, they kept us going and I’m looking forward to Saturday now. It was really special, just looking forward to getting out there again.”

Town ran out comfortable winners, despite manager Kieran McKenna making 11 changes from the team which won at Sunderland in the Championship on Sunday.

“Like the gaffer’s said before, we’re so lucky to have a flexible side,” he continued. “Not a lot of teams have got such a good squad depth to put out such a strong XI, especially making 11 changes from Saturday. Just delighted with how we played, we played some really good stuff tonight.”

Despite having signed only a matter of weeks ago, Taylor seemed as settled into the team as players who have been with the squad for the 18 months that McKenna has been in charge.

“I feel like every day in training, the gaffer’s just drilling in how he wants me to play and how he wants me to bring my style to the side,” he said.

“There are still things to work on, but I think we’ll get there and I’m really enjoying my time here.”

His next aim is to break into the Championship team: “Of course, that’s the aim, I want to get into that XI, so I’m going to keep working and hopefully I’ll get there soon.”

Taylor had family watching as he made his Blues’ bow: “My mum and dad were here, so I was very proud to score in front of them.”

While the league is Town’s priority, Taylor wants to continue to progress in the Carabao Cup with the Blues facing a second round tie at League One Reading at the end of the month.

“We want to win every game that’s put to us,” the former Irish U21 international said. “The gaffer said before we want to win every single game so we want to go as far as we can in this. We’ve got a big enough and good enough squad to go a long way, I think.”

Regarding the new £2.5 million Portman Road pitch, which was in use for the first time, Taylor said: “It was perfect. It was in tip-top condition, no complaints from anyone.”

Photo: TWTD

Bazza8564 added 11:31 - Aug 10 I really enjoyed Jack's performance last night, he looked sharp, fit and in tune with the patterns and his movement was excellent. Im hoping he will start Saturday, id like to see him with Sam or Massimo, I don't think we will play home games with both of those guys now we are in the Championship, especially with Jack and Lee Evans both fit
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blueboy1981 added 14:34 - Aug 10 Well Done Jack. ITFC is equally proud to have you.
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:13 - Aug 10 Well done Jack, good performance and a goal, may it continue ,and you get to claim a place in the team .
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blues1 added 17:19 - Aug 10 After that performance, he's certainly given McKenna something to think about. While I wouldnt expect him to start on saturday, if he keeps playing like that, he's gonna get his chance before too long. For me, was easily mom.
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therein61 added 18:50 - Aug 10 Well i remember a certain John Wark esq who arrived late in the box and was so prolific there young man is your yard stick i hope you can replicate what the great man did good luck to you at portman road and filling in very hard boots.
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Linkboy13 added 19:23 - Aug 10 He will have to be patient and grab it with both hands. No way is he going to replace Luongo or Morsy unless they are injured or suspended. People are getting too carried away saying he's not good enough he should be in the team it was only Bristol Rovers last night far harder games in the championship.
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