Kieran McKenna makes 'honest' admission after Ipswich promoted to Premier League

Jack Otway
Sat, 02 May 2026 14:36:30 +0000

Kieran McKenna has admitted that this season's promotion has been the toughest yet after Ipswich secured a return to the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys thumped QPR 3-0 at Portman Road on Saturday, with George Hirst, Jaden Philogene and Kasey McAteer all scoring.

It means that McKenna has now guided the club to three promotions - twice to the Premier League and once to the Championship.

There were wild celebrations around the ground in the wake of their straightforward win over QPR, with supporters flooding the pitch to celebrate with the players and coaching staff.

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McKenna cut a delighted figure, with the former Manchester United coach now set to plot a way to keep them in the top flight.

Speaking afterwards, he reflected on the club's exploits by saying: "It means a lot, I have to say.

"It's probably been the hardest one (of our three promotions in four years) if I'm honest. It's brilliant.

"I know how hard we've had to work to turn it around. As a club we had such a climb and a steep fall. We've had to rebuild this team under difficult circumstances and we deserve to be where we are today."

McKenna also expressed a belief that Ipswich, after a slow start to the campaign, had improved considerably.

"We started slow, which can happen, but we have steadily improved over the course of the year," he stated.

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"We showed it on Tuesday at Southampton and today, it's about how you finish.

"I am going to enjoy this one - I'm not going to start thinking about the Premier League today."

Other Ipswich figures have also spoken out.

Hirst, who scored after just three minutes, expressed his delight by saying: "This year everyone wanted us to fail but we've done it.

"It's been difficult, we've made it hard for ourselves, but who cares, we're back in the Premier League and that's all that matters.

"(This club) means more than anything, I have never experienced anything like being here, I will stay as long as they want me.

"It's been a great run and hopefully we can keep going."

And Ipswich captain Dara O'Shea was equally thrilled, with the Republic of Ireland star adding: "It means everything. This is what we set out to do at the start of the season.

"I don't think anyone wanted us to do it. Everyone had their say. We had to walk the walk and we have done it.

"It's never easy (coming down from the Premier League). Nothing is given in this league, you have to earn everything and fight for everything and we've had to do that.

"I am so happy for the club and the town. I love Portman Road, I love the fans.

"We had a tough season last year, there wasn't a lot to cheer about, but the fans were always with us."