BLUES defender Alex Bruce is not only feeling the pain of a derby day defeat but has been stung by false accusations that he has rejected offers to stay at Ipswich because he is being greedy.

Derek Davis

BLUES defender Alex Bruce is not only feeling the pain of a derby day defeat but has been stung by false accusations that he has rejected offers to stay at Ipswich because he is being greedy.

Bruce is one of 14 Town players who will be out of contract next summer and has been linked with a number of clubs including Leeds United, Fiorentina and Norwich City who yesterday beat Ipswich 2-0 at Carrow Road.

The defender has been angered by suggestions, not repeated in this paper, that he has not been offered enough money to stay at Portman Road when in fact he has not been offered any sort of deal.

Bruce said: “I have seen it said I am turning contracts down for money reasons and that is an absolute load of rubbish.

“I have not been offered a contract. I have never been motivated by money and it hurts me when people suggest I am. It is rubbish and it is a kop out.”

Any reasonable deal would probably be enough to keep the former Birmingham City player who was manager Jim Magilton's first signing, and a free one at that.

Bruce said: “What would make me stay is being offered a contract but the manager is not offering any of us a contract and there are 13 others also in the same situation.

“That is the way the club want to do it and there is nothing any of us can do about that.

“I would like the situation resolved sooner rather than later. I don't want to worry about my future. Every player wants security so it is not the ideal situation as it is up in the air.

“It is not about me though it is about the team.”

Although clubs are showing an interest in the Republic of Ireland international defender Bruce has been ignoring the rumour mill.

He said: “There will always be speculation for all players coming out of contract.

“I will be allowed to talk to clubs in three weeks, which is something I don't really want to do, but that is the situation I'm in.

“Sometimes you have to look after yourself in football. I want to stay at Ipswich.

“I owe a lot to Jim Magilton and I owe a lot to the supporters and I would hate for that to end now but football is football and if I don't get offered anything then it is completely out of my hands.”

After being on the end of a loss at Carrow Road, Bruce would love to gain revenge when the sides meet again next April at Portman Road but accepts it is not that clear cut.

Bruce said: “I hope I'm still here in April.

“I'm fed up being asked about it and it's not just me out of contract - there are 13 others.

“All I can do is my best, which I have been doing, then hopefully the reward of a new contract will come along then great. If not I will be moving on.”

Although back playing regularly now Bruce admits is was painful to be left out and told others were ahead of him as a defender.

He said: “It was a bitter pill to swallow when I was not in the team. I have tried my best since I came back in the team. Some people think that is good, others may feel I'm below par but football is about opinions.

“I like to think I have done enough but we will have to wait and see.”

derek.davis@archant.co.uk