New number nine Martyn Waghorn can help Ipswich Town be ‘nasty’, says Mick McCarthy
Ipswich Town have signed Martyn Waghorn from Rangers for a reported fee of £1m. Photo: ITFC - Credit: Archant
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy says new forward Martyn Waghorn will provide some additional fire to his squad.
The Blues announced earlier they had beaten competition to sign the 27-year-old from Scottish club Rangers on a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, the fee believed to be around £1m.
The former Sunderland, Leicester and Wigan man has been handed the No.9 shirt and, providing international clearance comes through in time, he could make his debut at League Two side Luton Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup tomorrow evening (7.45pm).
- Fans react to Waghorn signing
“I’ve always admired Waggy, so when I was told he might be available and that we could afford him it was an absolute no-brainer,” said McCarthy. “First and foremost he is one of us; he wants to graft and put a shift in. He’s a trier and that’s a good starting point. He’s got good ability, he can play either side, but he’s got the number nine and will be a centre-forward.
“That doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to play. He’s got a hell of a task getting in the team the way Joe (Garner) and Freddie (Sears) played on Saturday. We’ve got Didzy (David McGoldrick) too.
“My hope was that I could get two players of equal ability for every position. If I want to change somebody then I feel I’ve got that choice now.”
- Waghorn could make his debut at Luton
Waghorn is the second striker Town have signed from Rangers this summer following the £750k capture of Garner. On the latter, who scored the winner against Birmingham in Saturday’s Championship opener, McCarthy said: “Joe’s old school. TC (assistant manager Terry Connor) said ‘he could have played with us, him’ and I said ‘not half’. He’d have loved the real rough and tumble it was 30 years ago. He’s everything I’d hope for and a little bit more.
- Waghorn: My best is yet to come
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“I’ve always thought Waggy was a bit the same as that. If them two play together I think they’ll be a handful for everybody.”
He added: “If you spoke to all our players you’d like every one of them, but I don’t want them to be like that on the pitch. I want them to be nasty, horrible, professional and have a bit of arrogance about them. The best teams all have that.”
Waghorn said: “It’s an exciting move for me. You get a fresh buzz when you join a new club. I feel my best football is yet to come.”
