A MISSED penalty for his country will not stop Owen Garvan volunteering if Ipswich Town are awarded one against Swansea today.Although Tommy Miller is the Blues undisputed penalty kick, Garvan is not afraid to step up to the spot if needed, despite failing to convert for the republic of Ireland Under 21s against Lithuania last Tuesday.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

A MISSED penalty for his country will not stop Owen Garvan volunteering if Ipswich Town are awarded one against Swansea today.

Although Tommy Miller is the Blues undisputed penalty kick, Garvan is not afraid to step up to the spot if needed, despite failing to convert for the republic of Ireland Under 21s against Lithuania last Tuesday.

Garvan did score for his country who went on to win and ignored the post-match stick from team-mates at home and abroad.

He said: “I was just glad to score and help the team win, even though it was just a friendly game.

“It was important

“It was a tough game but we got the right result.

“I took some stick from the lads for missing the pen but we won so I didn't feel so bad. If it had happened in a more important game then I would have been even more upset.

“I will still stick my hand up to take them and it came round again I would want to take it.”

Garvan was playing as an attacking midfielder, just as he did for the 'B' side and a role he relishes at Ipswich.

He said: “I have played a more attacking role and it just so happens I have scored a couple but really I'm just happy to be playing.

“Obviously I would like to be playing every game.

“Results have been a bit indifferent and we are all working hard to put that right.”

The midfielder also feels the current Town side are beginning to gel better and that will be reflected in more consistent performances and results.

He added: “Now that we know each other better it helps us to understand what one another likes doing on the pitch.

“We understand what the weaknesses and strengths are and what people will do in certain situations and that is making us better.

“We all know that if you don't play well for one or two games then there are other players ready to come in. With injuries and everything else it is important to have a big squad and that will work for us.”

They can put that into practice today against a Swansea side that has impressed Garvan when he has watched them on television.

He said: “Swansea seem to be doing well at home but so well away. They seem to be winning games the right way. They are getting the ball down and are a good passing side. So we will be a bit wary of them although I can see it is going to be a good battle and good game.”

It was a penalty from Alan Lee that consigned Swansea to defeat the last time these two teams met, which was in the FA Cup in January 2007 at Portman Road when Town won 1-0.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk