Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has jumped to the defence of George Hirst – insisting that the out-of-form striker has his ‘backing’
It has been a tough period for the Scotland international, who has faced criticism from certain sections of the Town fanbase following a sequence of just one goal from his last 15 appearances.
Hirst, himself, recently conceded that the lack of goals had been playing on his mind, but McKenna has insisted that the 27-year-old’s service to the club is deserving of ‘support and respect’.
Ipswich Town striker George Hirst. Picture: Barry Goodwin
McKenna said: “If we take a step back, he’s a player that we signed for circa-£1m in League One at a time when he was really early in his career.
“He scored goals that got us promoted from League One, he scored goals that got us promoted from the Championship and he scored goals for the club in the Premier League, and he’s scored goals this season.
“I think in terms of output, I doubt if the club or many other clubs have had better value for a striker for a million pounds in today’s market than this club has had from George Hirst. I think he’s been an incredible player for the club.
I think we have to really find the right balance. He was a player who has come through that journey with the club and was the first one to want to sign [a new contract] in the summer, wanted to stay no matter what.
“He didn’t have his shirt last year, Liam [Delap] came in and did really well, [but George has] has always wanted to be here, has wanted to stay through being a starter and not being a starter.
“He has had a real passion to play for the club, has loved playing here and has had good season after good season after good season for us.
“I think he’s had some good periods this season. I think the last run of games, maybe the last month or so just before his injury, maybe just after his injury, he hasn’t perhaps hit his top form, but I think he’s a player who deserves our respect, deserves our support.
“Of course, it’s about what you do in here now, not what we’ve done previously. That’s the same for George, any other player, as myself, as any staff member. I know in the modern world, it’s about what you’re doing now, but what I see George doing now is working really hard every day, working for the team in every game
“There’s never been a striker, there’s never been a player who has had a career where every single period is up, up, up. He’s said himself he’s maybe in his first or his biggest dip period in terms of his goalscoring and a couple of other aspects, but he’s been a tremendous player for the club.
“ He trains well every day and gives his all in the pitch and, of course, you always want to play at your absolute best. And if you’re a goalscorer like George, you always want to be scoring in every game, but it’s inevitable you’re going to have a period not like that.
“And for me, he still deserves the support and the respect because of what he gives us every day, but also for the player that he’s been for the football club over the last few seasons. He certainly has my backing.”
Overall this term Hirst has found the back of the net on six occasions from his 28 outings.