Ipswich Town: McKenna and Woolfenden on Liam Delap

The £15m summer signing from Manchester City has hit the ground running in Town's first three games, capping some all-effort displays with a thunderous long-range goal and man of the match showing in the 1-1 draw with Fulham.

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That strike, which came at the end of a lung-busting rumble forward, had Portman Road absolutely rocking.  

Liam Delap celebrates his strike on Saturday (Image: Steve Waller)
"It was a great moment wasn't it?" smiled McKenna. "It's his first Premier League goal and the club's first Premier League goal at Portman Road for 22 years - and what a goal it was.

"I enjoyed his all round performance again. He's getting better, he's getting stronger, he's learning and he's still got great growth to come. 

"Look at the young players we had on the pitch today. Him at 21 leading the line for a Premier League club, Omari (Hutchinson) beside him at 20 years old, Leif (Davis), Jacob (Greaves)...

"It's a really, good thing for the football club to have that players that young performing in the Premier League as they are."

Delap has also impressed his new team-mates, with stalwart centre-back Luke Woolfenden joining McKenna in praising him in the wake of Saturday's heartening draw. 

Liam Delap unleashes his long-range effort on Saturday (Image: PA)
“He’s been unbelievable since he’s come in,” the defender said about his new team-mate.

“He’s shown real quality on the ball, as well as his pace and power up there leading the line.

“When he hits it, it stays hit. I’ve never seen a kid hit a ball that hard.

“He’s got a hell of a strike on him and I’m delighted that he’s scored his first goal.”