Ipswich Town: Mick McCarthy says Emmanuel-Thomas exit is 'scary'

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has acknowledged that forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas could turn out to be a huge success elsewhere.

The 22-year-old forward joined Bristol City last Monday in a transfer that brought winger Paul Anderson to Portman Road in a straight swap.

"I wanted Paul Anderson so it's a good deal," McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"But it's one of those scary ones. Jay did not fulfil his potential here and he may well do so somewhere else."

Emmanuel-Thomas was signed from Arsenal by then Ipswich boss Paul Jewell in the summer of 2011 and scored seven goals in 44 appearances during his first season with the club.

McCarthy became Tractor Boys manager in November 2012 and later that month publicly criticised the winger's work rate.

"It wasn't a difficult decision to let him go because I made him available for transfer at the end of last season," McCarthy continued.

"I wish him all the best but I'm more than happy with the swap when we're getting a winger like Anderson in."

Meanwhile, McCarthy would not rule out signing ex-Wolves defender Christophe Berra, who is reported to have held talks with Rangers.

The 28-year-old centre-back, who was signed for Wolves by McCarthy in 2009, is a free agent after his contract at Molineux expired.

"I'd love to sign Christophe Berra - for heaven's sake I paid £2m for him and now he is available for nothing," said McCarthy.

"He helped us win promotion [to the Premier League] and stay up for two seasons but we can't necessarily afford him as he'll have other offers because he is a very good player."