Kieran McKenna: Ipswich Town boss says draw with Leicester City 'reinforces' belief in approach
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Kieran McKenna took over at Ipswich Town in December 2021
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna says their draw with Championship leaders Leicester City "reinforces" the club's belief in they way they are developing.
Town grabbed a point in injury time as the top-of-the-table meeting at Portman Road on Boxing Day ended 1-1.
The result kept Ipswich six points behind the Foxes with a five-point gap to Southampton in third.
"We'll take confidence from the performance and really try to build on that," McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk.
It did look as though Leicester would be stretching their advantage at the top to nine points as the match moved into the 93rd minute with the visitors leading through Stephy Mavididi's fine first-half finish.
But Town salvaged a point when Sam Morsy's shot took two deflections - the last off Jannik Vestergaard - and beat Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
The draw not only kept McKenna's side in touch with Enzo Maresca's pacesetters, it also helped them bounce back from their 4-0 hammering at Leeds three days earlier.
"I thought we measured up well. They were a really strong opponent," McKenna said.
"It's only a point but to come back from Leeds and stay brave and stay true to our principles and to do that against the best team in the league so far, I think that's the big positive - when that gets you a point."
'We need to keep improving'
Ipswich's battling point keeps them in the second automatic promotion spot and on course to secure a return to the top flight for the first time since relegation from the Premier League in 2002.
McKenna says their performance against the Foxes shows Ipswich are in good shape to remain in the promotion picture.
"I think it should reinforce that," he said. "In terms of our our identity, style of play, our principles and culture in the group, we're going in a really good direction.
"When you play against a team like that who are well coached and you come out so well it should reinforce what you're doing.
"We know we need to keep improving - our execution could have been better and if it was better we win the game because we had more than enough moments.
"The players have made such big strides but it's important we continue to do so."
Ipswich are next in action on Friday night when they face relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road.