Ipswich 3-2 MK Dons: Mick McCarthy and Karl Robinson reaction
Saturday 30 April 2016 18:33, UK
David McGoldrick served a timely reminder to Martin O'Neill after helping Ipswich to an entertaining 3-2 victory over relegated MK Dons in their final home match of the season.
McGoldrick opened the scoring for Ipswich and was pivotal throughout at Portman Road as the home side led on three occasions to deservedly take home the points.
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy tipped McGoldrick to shine in France if the striker's return to fitness and form is rewarded with a place in the Republic of Ireland squad.
"I sincerely hope he goes and has a great tournament as he would deserve it after a few tough seasons," McCarthy said.
"I don't pick the squad but if he was lucky enough and gets a chance, he has the ability to play at that level. He is such a good player and orchestrated a lot of our play."
McCarthy was less gushing about his side's final match at Portman Road after they conceded two sloppy Alex Revell goals and only won the match courtesy of Luke Varney's injury-time header.
"It was exciting for both sets of fans but frustrating for me," McCarthy added. "We have already started thinking about next season - that is an ongoing process."
McGoldrick opened the scoring in the 16th minute and was then denied a second by a fine save from Charlie Burns.
But he then turned villain in first half stoppage time when he needlessly tripped Samir Carruthers in the area and Revell sent Dean Gerken the wrong way from the spot.
Brett Pitman restored Ipswich's lead seven minutes after coming off the bench but Revell once again struck in the 74th minute, taking advantage of some static defending to ghost in at the far post.
Just as it looked like it would be honours even, impressive debutant Myles Kenlock floated over a fantastic cross and Varney rose well to bury a header into the net.
MK Dons boss Karl Robinson bemoaned his side's fragile defending which he admitted had been a big reason for their relegation from the Championship.
Robinson said: "It was disappointing for us but it summed up our whole season. We were good but also poor in certain key areas.
"It has been a massive learning curve. Some of these players deserve to be in the Championship but some don't and that is why we are where we are.
"Despite our fate being sealed, it was good to see us still try and play football - I am a massive believer in playing football the right way.
"But we can't look at where we have been. It is all about where we are going to go from here."
