Ipswich Town remain in good hands with manager Mick McCarthy, according to former Blue Stephen Hunt.

McCarthy celebrated five years at Portman Road on Wednesday, making him the eighth-longest-serving manager in English football and the only current Championship boss to have reached such a significant milestone.

But despite his longevity there is a sense of frustration among sections of the Blues support, with McCarthy’s style of football and his relationship with the fans under continued scrutiny as he reaches his half-decade.

But Irishman Hunt, who first played under McCarthy at Wolves and was then reunited with his old boss at Portman Road in November 2013, believes his former manager remains a positive influence at Portman Road and sees a man who has done a good job considering the financial constraints imposed on him.

READ: Northstander - ‘Nothing will change until McCarthy goes

East Anglian Daily Times: Stephen Hunt in action for Ipswich Town. Picture: PAGEPIX LTDStephen Hunt in action for Ipswich Town. Picture: PAGEPIX LTD (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976 935738)

“It says a lot about the state of football these days that we are talking about a manager being in their job for five years and saying that that’s a long time,” Hunt said.

“You know what you have with Mick, he is an experienced man and in terms of what he has had to spend then I think you have to say he has done a good job.

“He doesn’t have the resources that many clubs in the division have. I know that myself because it was like trying to get blood out of a stone in terms of trying to get a deal so that shows what he has been working with.

“A month ago we had Mick McCarthy and Neil Warnock (Cardiff boss) both flying high in the Championship and you know where you are with those two.

“If I was a fan I would be happy with Mick and TC (Terry Connor, assistant manager), I know that might not be what the fans want to hear but you are in good hands. He is a good man, has the respect of his players and is very loyal, which counts for a lot.

READ: Fans have their say on McCarthy’s reign

“Of course you want to be in the top half of the table and challenging but it’s only the very start of November and there is plenty of time to put a run together.

“You take it from there and then we’ll see what happens in the future.”

Hunt has also called for Manchester City loanee Bersant Celina to focus on his football, after the Kosovo international took to Twitter to seemingly suggest he is unhappy with the level of playing time he is getting at Portman Road, prior to scoring a stunning winner at Burton.

“He’s a young lad and clearly a very talented player, but I saw that tweet and I didn’t think it was helpful at all,” Hunt said.

“Mick is good with his players, especially when they are honest and talk to him honestly, so there is no need to do things like that on Twitter.

“It’s not as if he’s been a regular for Manchester City or anything like that so, even if he is frustrated, he should settle down and do his talking on the pitch.”