Jack Taylor sends confident message to Heimir Hallgrimsson after impactful debut

Ipswich Town midfielder is one of three Tractor Boys in the squad, joining team-mates Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics and Dara O'Shea

Jack Taylor is embracing the clean slate under Heimir Hallgrimsson and feels ready to make a lasting impact with Ireland.

The Ipswich Town midfielder made his senior debut in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Greece in Piraeus, four years after his first call-up.

In that time, he was a peripheral figure around the senior camp and was last involved in the summer of 2023.

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But Ireland’s only top flight central midfielder in this two-game window - Southampton’s Will Smallbone was injured - made a positive impact off the bench.

He and Festy Ebosele injected fresh life into Ireland’s cause as they pushed for an equaliser after the break, only for Greece to double their lead at the death.

But Taylor is hoping he caught Hallgrimsson’s eye with his attitude and performance with the home game against Finland and trip to England to come next month.

Taylor said: “It's a clean slate for me, everyone is still trying to impress, to keep their slot in the team, so I’m delighted with the impact I made and long may it continue.

“The instruction was just come on and make an impact in the game like all the other subs did.

“We didn't play like how we wanted to play, we weren't intense enough. The subs brought the intensity to the game and changed it.

“In the last 20-30 minutes I thought we had them pinned back and in the end I felt we deserved a draw.”

Taylor continued: “I’ve been called up before so I was ready to make my debut. I’m in the best shape of my career and buzzing that it's finally come - it was a long time coming.

“The manager came to a couple of my games where I made an impact for Ipswich, and I’m glad that’s been shown on the international stage.

“I’m pretty versatile and I’m comfortable anywhere in the middle.

“For the last couple of years I've focussed on arriving into the box late to score more goals as a central midfielder.

“As a No 10, it’s easier to get into the box. I was always going to give it my all for the shirt and team whatever position and I’m just disappointed with the way it ended.”

Taylor was joining his Ipswich team-mates Dara O’Shea, Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics on the pitch in the Greek defeat.

And he admits that familiarity with team-mates was a help in terms of bedding in this camp.

“It's great to see we’re being noticed at our club for this Ireland team. We ‘ve taken over Ipswich! We’re used to playing with each other and can show that in an Ireland shirt.”

Even though Ireland lost on Sunday, Taylor feels it has been a positive international window for the squad after winning in Finland.

And it is the Finns who are up next when Ireland host them on November 14 in a game that could determine which side is automatically relegated to League C.

The bottom side goes down and the second from bottom goes into a March playoff against one of the second-placed teams in League C.

“We’ll be confident against anyone we come up against,” added Taylor.

“As long as we get used to playing with each, getting used to what the gaffer wants, the pieces will come together and we’ll pick up results.”

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