As if we didn’t already know.
Mick McCarthy has rejected suggestions that he folded to fan pressure to bring on loan star Bersant Celina at the weekend.
Celina, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester City, came off the bench to score a last minute winner in Ipswich’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon.
Travelling supporters had been crying out to see the Kosovan midfielder before, in the 84th minute, he arrived on the Pirelli Stadium touchline fully prepared to make an impact.
Five minutes later and Celina was whirling away in celebration, having completed the comeback for McCarthy’s side.
The 21-year-old might have proven himself the hero for McCarthy but, after the game, the Ipswich boss completely shot down suggestions that he’d been influenced by the fans.
“I don’t give a shite about that, by the way. He didn’t go on because of that, let me just clear that up,” McCarthy said, via the East Anglian Daily Times.
“In fact, there’s more chance of him not going on when they start telling me what to do. And yes, I am a belligerent fuck. Let’s just clear that up.”
Speaking about Celina, who now has three goals in eight appearances for Ipswich, McCarthy revealed why he didn’t start that game.
“He has every chance of going on when the game gets stretched,” he said. “I don’t think it was the game for him when we’re having to head balls out and fight and scrap, but with 10 minutes to play it is, strangely enough.
“It’s a wonderful finish. He’s celebrated with the fans, thrown his shirt in with them, they all love him and he’s maybe given the bird to me – but I don’t mind that because that’s what he’s paid for.
“He’s the hero, fabulous, but I tell you what there were some more heroes there today who kept a clean sheet up until half-time. They enabled him to do that. Good luck to him.”
The victory at Burton Albion provided some much-needed respite for McCarthy, whose team had lost three on the bounce prior to Saturday.
Fans recently began criticising the 58-year-old for his style of play and, when it was put to McCarthy that fan negativity had “crept back in” to the club, he had an absolutely amazing riposte.
“They crept back in did they?” McCarthy asked. “You’re kidding me. I think they more than crept back in.
“Listen, unless somebody decides otherwise, you’ve got me, boring old big nose fucking fart with shite football until May. Unless somebody decides different.”
Never change, Mick. NEVER CHANGE.
