Ipswich Town: George Hirst on goalscoring form and future at the club

The 24-year-old joined the Blues on loan from Premier League club Leicester in January and has now scored five goals, including one in each of the last four games.

On his headed opener in yesterday's 4-0 home win against Wycombe, he said: "It was a tough game. We've blown teams away in the first 25 minutes before, but this was a little bit different.

"For the first 20/25 minutes we had to work our way into the game, find that footing and fortunately enough I managed to get the goal from a set-piece. After that I think we looked pretty comfortable.

"(First team coach) Charlie Turnbull has been onto me for the last few weeks about using my size, being more aggressive and being more definitive with the runs I make in the box at set-pieces. It's about trusting that the ball coming in from Leif (Davis) is going to be in the right place at the right time."

George Hirst heads Ipswich Town in front against Wycombe. (Image: Steve Waller)

On his expert turn and finish in the 2-0 win at Derby County, he reflected: "It was the 75th minute and I'll be honest at that point I felt like I'd blown a gasket! The legs had started to give way and the cramps had started to set in. 

"Wes (Burns) went down the line and I was screaming at him to pass me the ball. When he didn't there was a split second where I was shouting at him, but then I turned around and realised that no-one was around the ball!

"When we were celebrating he came up and apologised to me, but I said 'I don't know what you're apologising for, I've just scored!' It worked out alright in the end!"

George Hirst puts Ipswich Town 2-0 up at Derby County. (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

On his superb volleyed finish in the 2-0 win at Bolton, Hirst said: "That was one of those where you don't think too much. When I've not scored I've probably been guilty of over-thinking about controlling it, turning and doing this or that. Sometimes you've just got to hit it and see what happens. That goal was a prime example of that."

When it was put to him that his confidence must by sky high, Hirst replied: "Too right. I think for any striker goals are massive.

"I always knew they would come. The gaffer told me to keep doing the right things and putting myself in the right places. It was just about trusting the process and now I feel I'm reaping the rewards of that."

Hirst's contribution to the team has been about much more than goals during Town's recent impressive run, with his ability to press, link play, hold it up and run in behind all useful assets. 

George Hirst has now scored in four successive games. (Image: Steve Waller)

"That's the stuff I pride myself on," he said. "My dad (former Sheffield Wednesday and England striker David) is big on all that. Without that you don't get the goals. The goals are sort of a bonus on top of how else you play.

"The pressing and the running and trying to be that focal point of the team is a massive part of my game.

"I'm scoring a few different types of goals. I feel good. I'm enjoying this run I'm on, but I'm not taking it for granted. There's still a lot of work I need to do."

Hirst's contract at his parent club runs until 2025, but the Foxes did insert a buy clause in in his previous loan at Blackburn. It's not clear if Ipswich have the same option.

Asked if he could see himself signing for Ipswich permanently in the summer, the striker replied: "It's not something I've thought about. I don't feel like we've got the time to be focusing on anything other than the next game right now.

"It's a big time of the season with a lot of big games coming up.

"For me, what will be will be on that front. Those are conversations to be had in the summer.

"Right now I am delighted to be scoring goals for this club and thoroughly enjoying it. Long may that continue."

Conor Chaplin produces a golf themed goal celebration. (Image: Steve Waller)

Explaining his golf themed goal celebrations with Conor Chaplin, Hirst said: "We've got a good golf group in the team, about eight or nine of us. It's great to get the lads together whenever we get chance and just relax a bit. Me and Chappers are partners and we've won the last two!" 

Ipswich are up to second in the League One table after eight straight wins and now head to Cheltenham on Monday.

"The gaffer says enjoy the game, enjoy the result but also don't dwell on it," said Hirst. 

"At this stage of the season we can't take our foot off the pedal for nobody. We'll speak about Cheltenham tomorrow and head there with a fresh mindset and ready to go again.

"The focus from everybody is that intense right now. The lads aren't bouncing around the changing rooms and getting ahead of themselves.

"It's 'right, job done today, but we've got another game Monday'."

He added: "It's in our hands now. What will be will be elsewhere. We can't control the result of any game other than the one we're playing in.

"If we take that belief and confidence that we showed today into every game from now til the end of the season then I see no reason why we can't keep winning games."