IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane was given an easy ride by shareholders at last night’s annual general meeting of Ipswich Town PLC.

And chief executive Simon Clegg, who is club owner Marcus Evans’ right hand man and voice piece says that he reads the current speculation about Keane’s future with ‘much hilarity and amusement.’

The expected fireworks did not materialise as the under pressure Town manager admitted that his team needs to start getting back to winning ways in the Championship fixture at bottom placed Preston on Saturday.

Keane and Clegg answered questions from the floor for an hour, but came out unscathed with Keane revealing that Evans had offered him a three year deal when he joined the club in April 2009.

Having lost their last five matches, Keane could have expected a much tougher time with his team in 17th place and just four points off the drop zone.

“I said I could take Ipswich back to the Premier League in two years,” said Keane.

“The owner offered me a three-year deal, and having gone for a shorter one it does add to the pressure. It raises the bar.

“Yes we want to provide better entertainment for our fans, and they want to see us winning games.

“And we need to start sorting it out quickly – starting at Preston on Saturday.

“This may be my last annual general meeting here – I appreciate that if results don’t improve – but I will never have any regrets about joining this great club.”

Clegg stressed that Keane is no under immediate pressure, but admitted: “Of course we cannot go on like we are at the moment or we will be relegated.

“But the play-offs are still a realistic goal and there is no reason why we cannot aspire to them.

“The owner is a patient man as he proved last season and he adheres to the rich traditions of this club of giving managers time to turn things around.

“Roy is a driven man and he has seven months of his contract remaining. I read the current speculation with much hilarity and amusement.

“There is no timescale about discussing any new contract.”