Ipswich Town striker George Hirst, left, hopes to impress when he plays for Scotland in a pair of friendlies in June (Image: PA)
Ipswich Town striker George Hirst, left, hopes to impress when he plays for Scotland in a pair of friendlies in June (Image: PA)
Ipswich Town striker George Hirst says he's 'finally found how my body works' under boss Kieran McKenna - and hopes he can use it to fire the Blues and Scotland to success.
The 26-year-old impressed in limited Premier League action this season, bagging five goals in 31 games while mostly coming off the bench behind breakout star Liam Delap.
But his displays showed he could compete at the top level, and earned him a first Scotland call-up back in March, when the Tartan Army faced Greece in a Nations League play-off double header.
READ MORE: How the bookies expect Ipswich Town to do in the Championship next season
The Sheffield-born hitman decided to switch national allegiances to the country of his grandfather's birth, with the full backing of his dad, Sheffield Wednesday icon David.
And he told the Daily Record that a proud Hirst senior watched his international debut from the comfort of his local boozer.
George Hirst goes close with a header against Greece
George Hirst goes close with a header against Greece (Image: PA)
"Of course he watched it" Hirst explained. "He had all his mates at the pub and he pulled rank on the TV and said ‘now we're putting the Scotland game on’.
“It's his local. He's been going to it for the best part of 20 years but it might be longer. He's pretty well known in there. He pulled rank and they had the game on in the end.
“He was just extremely proud of me and gave me a massive pat on the back and said well done.
READ MORE: 'A great manager but also a great person' - Phillips praises McKenna in farewell post
“More for all the hard work I'd put in over the years prior to get myself in a position where playing for Scotland against Greece in March was attainable.
“I had a header when I came on in the second game that he said I should have done a hell of a lot better with. As soon as I missed it I knew he was going to say that!
“He was absolutely thrilled for me and just hoping, like myself, that I get more minutes.”
George Hirst hopes to earn a spot in the Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September
George Hirst hopes to earn a spot in the Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September
(Image: PA) The chance to get those minutes comes in friendlies next week, with Scotland hosting Iceland on Friday June 6th (7.45pm), followed by a trip to Liechtenstein the following Monday (5pm).
Scotland then play World Cup qualifiers in September - and Hirst hopes to be a key part of the squad by then.
READ MORE: Here's when Town's Championship fixtures will be revealed - and when season starts
“It’s a massive opportunity," he said of next week's games. "For me fixtures don’t come much sexier to be honest.
“It’s an amazing thing for me to be in the Scotland group. It probably still hasn’t sunk in yet.
“It’s a new experience and for me it’s about using these two games, however many minutes I get, whether it’s 180 or just five then I can use them all to become a better player and try to impress.
“I want to lock a place down in the squad with World Cup qualifiers coming up soon.
“It’s an opportunity for me to stake my claim and grab the bull by the horns. People might look at it and say they’re not the sexiest of games but I’m really looking forward to it.
“It was nice to get a taster of it in March. That's made me hungry to get more.”
George Hirst says he's finally found out how his body works at Town
George Hirst says he's finally found out how his body works at Town
(Image: Ross Halls) Hirst's Scotland adventure has been made possible through his form for Town - and he admits a large part of his success has been down to boss McKenna.
"It’s been massive," he said, of his Town journey. "I think back to the player that I was when I signed for Ipswich almost two and a half years ago, back in League One.
READ MORE: 'No sulking... a common goal' - Chaplin reveals how he'll drive Town to bounce back
"That is a very different player to what you see here now.
“I'm 26 and I feel like I've finally found how my body works at 6ft 4in. There are times where it can feel a little bit gangly when you're growing up.
“I feel like I'm in a spot now where, with the help of the gaffer, all the things I've learned throughout the last 12 months can definitely help me going forward.”