O'Neil: Hirst Gave the Club Unbelievable Service
Friday, 21st Aug 2026 17:21
Blues manager Gary O’Neil says everyone at Town thanks George Hirst for his “unbelievable service” to the club, the Scotland international striker having joined Stoke City yesterday.
Hirst signed a three-year deal with the Potters, the clubs having agreed an initial £6 million fee which could rise to £10 million.
The 27-year-old is the latest of a number of the triple promotion winners to move on, Conor Chaplin having departed at the end of last season and Wes Burns earlier this month, the latter pair having joined League One Leicester City, who visit in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
“One of the toughest things for me over the last few weeks has been where I have had an unbelievable amount of respect for people like George and Wes Burns and what they have done for this club over the last few years,” O’Neil said.
“And their minutes were more limited in pre-season than they would have experienced before.
“So trying to be respectful to the guys, which we were. Everyone stayed together and we found a way to all train together, even when there was about 30 of us altogether.
“We did that right until they left and I think the message from everyone at Ipswich to George would be thank you for an unbelievable service that you provided. I hope he goes on to have equal success at his new club.
“Unfortunately, as is the game, it moves and we decided it was the best for the club and for him for George to move, similarly with Wes. He moves on to try and be successful and the same here. Nothing but good wishes, both ways, and we try and do everything in the right way.
“Now the group is the group and we try and focus on what we have in the building and try and win the game tomorrow.”
_Photo: TWTD_