He may have already been dubbed ‘the new Daryl Murphy’ by his Ipswich Town team-mates, but Aaron Drinan has insisted he has his own style.
The 19-year-old completed his move from Waterford - coincidentally Murphy’s former club - at the start of January having trained with the Blues since October and has already been nicknamed ‘Murph’ by his team-mates.
But while the youngster can see a few similarities between him and fellow Irishman Murphy, who scored 67 goals for the club, he is looking forward to showing Ipswich fans that he is his own man.
“I think I can hold the ball up and lay it off and also run in behind, making those runs, so fans can expect a bit of both,” Drinan said.
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“Holding up the play is one of my strong points and then running behind. I can do different bits and I’m strong in the air.
“I play a bit different to him (Murphy) but I suppose we do have a few similarities. I think I’m my own player.
“He’s had a good career at Championship level and I’ll be doing well to follow what he’s done.
“I can see why people think the similarities are there but I’m my own player and have different bits to my game than him.
“Training with the first team eased me in and the nickname has helped too.”
Drinan, who was an unused substitute in the FA Cup clash with Sheffield United, has also enjoyed working under former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy and with current international David McGoldrick, and has international aspirations of his own.
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“He is great in training so it’s about picking bits off his game, what he does in training and on the pitch on Saturdays,” Drinan said of McGoldrick.
“He’s an Ireland international so to see him in this environment is great.
“I’ve always known him and watched him because he’s an Irish international and I’ve looked at him when he’s playing on TV to pick up different bits.
“One of my main aims is to be an Irish international and hopefully one day that will come.
“The gaffer has been the manager of Ireland and everyone knows him over there so it was good to know what he thinks of me. I’m delighted to have come over to play for him.
“I always wanted to come over here. That’s what every player in Ireland really wants to do – come over and play in the big leagues.”
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