Town loan striker Daryl Murphy admits he is resigned to leaving Celtic when his contract expires in the summer.

The Republic of Ireland international has also repeated his desire to join up at Portman Road on a permanent basis when he becomes a free agent in the summer.

Murphy, who will be 30 next week, said: “I made up my mind up about a year ago that when my Celtic contract was up I wouldn’t be staying.

“I’ll be a free agent come June and after that we’ll see what happens. In a perfect world I’d love to stay at Ipswich.

“It won’t bother me to take a pay cut because that’s what I did to join Celtic in the first place.

“For me it’s all about playing and if it wasn’t I’d still be at Sunderland picking up my money.”

Murphy first joined Town on loan three years ago when Roy Keane snapped him up from the Black Cats and he scored six goals in his 18 league appearances.

In July 2010 he moved north of the border but 13 months later he was on the move again, this time back to Portman Road when Paul Jewell signed him on a season-long deal.

Jewell snapped him up again in September last year and he has since taken his Town appearance tally to 84 with 16 goals.

Murphy added: “I’ve been at Ipswich so long now that I feel like part of the furniture. My wife and children are also settled here and that’s always a major factor for any player.

“Clubs get the best out of players when they are settled and happy. I’ve moved around quite a lot and it’s not nice for the wife and kids.

“Changing schools doesn’t help and it upsets them. If they’re upset I’m not happy. I don’t think people realise how important it is to players that their families are settled in an area.

“I would definitely like to stay here but it’s up to the gaffer. It’s his call but we won’t be talking about it until we’re safe.”

Town boss Mick McCarthy, who paid Waterford £100,000 to snap him up for Sunderland almost eight years ago after Murphy had had spells on trial with the Blues, recently hinted that he would be keen to sign him on a permanent basis.

Photo: Action Images

Michael11 added 14:45 - Mar 7 This time last year i would have said no thanks but like many of the lads he seems to be a lot better under McCarthy and seems to be doing a good job for us. If he is prepared to take a pay cut and there's no transfer fee then its a no brainer!
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cooper4england added 14:53 - Mar 7 One of our longest serving players and he has never actually signed for us! Hopefully the way our club has been run will change.
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roysboys added 14:55 - Mar 7 Has anyone ever been on loan at a club for longer than Daryl Murphy?
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reaper added 14:59 - Mar 7 Always good to have him as an option either on the wing or up front. If he is willing to take a pay cut and we are getting him for free, then as Michael11 says it really is a no brainer. I imagine he will get a few offers from other clubs, perhaps for more money than we offer but I believe him when he says he has his heart set on Ipswich
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bluelady added 15:00 - Mar 7 Now seeing him at his best as a target man, has produced some excellent assists this season v Leicester a prime example
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 15:00 - Mar 7 Would definitely sign him up as long as the wages are right , which doesnt sound like a problem. Very good squad player who always gives 100% , can play wide or up front, doesnt whine if left out of the side and from this article sounds like he has the right attitude.
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Daleyitfc added 15:07 - Mar 7 Like everyone else in our current squad, he's just not good enough. We should not be renewing any existing contracts, or offering them to current loanees. Get rid of them all, and start again. That includes the owner, board, manager and coaches.
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hodgie1989 added 15:17 - Mar 7 Daleyitfc what is your problem, whenever I see you post on here its always negative. How will changing everything be beneficial to anyone. You clearly don't support the club because you would be behind the team 100%, go and support someone else and take your sh*t somewhere else
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reaper added 15:17 - Mar 7 obvious troll is obvious ^
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rosseden added 15:30 - Mar 7 you might want to try going here on your holidays Daley.... one way flights are cheap as chips...... http://www.dignitas.ch/
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PortmanPie78 added 15:48 - Mar 7 Would be a great asset next season if he stayed
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 16:04 - Mar 7 Daleyitfc - you forgot, ballboys, programme sealers and ONE PARTICULAR SUPPORTER
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petermorris added 16:26 - Mar 7 Daleyitfc — demolish the ground while you're at it?
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mitchitfc96 added 16:27 - Mar 7 Daleyitfc you might aswell go support norwich or something you never have anything positive to say about the club or the players i would like to say you have a go at manager but we would just dissaper of the face of the world of football if you become manager, as for murphy i would like him to sign in the summer excellent when he plays for us
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Bluetone added 16:49 - Mar 7 Daleyitfc = waste of space attention seeker.
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PhoenixArizonaFan added 16:50 - Mar 7 See, this is the exact kind of player we want playing for Town. It's not about the money, it's about the love of the game and more importantly, the love of the team. Far too many players are more than happy to be overpaid bench warmers. It's really refreshing to read something to the contrary.
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jas0999 added 17:06 - Mar 7 Gives us another option. Think his position is up front and as a target man. Whether he scores enough goals though, is a different story. That said, as a club, we haven't scored enough goals! MM will make the right decision.
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lojd added 17:11 - Mar 7 It's nice to hear him talking about his family as a reason for wanting to stay, sounds like a nice guy as well a decent footballer. I remember talking to Matt Holland who said one of the reasons why he loved playing for Ipswich so much was that his family were happy, that seems rare with footballers these days who so often follow the money. Mick will definitely sign him up as he is a great squad player, can play in couple of key positions and with hopefully a stronger squad next season will offer good competition for places.

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wkj added 17:20 - Mar 7 assides from Tommy Smith; Murphy has probably improved the most this season post McCarthy- I still think there are much better options out there; however he may just continue improving under McCarthy as a true blue- he has much work to do; but props to his strongest season for the blues so far
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 17:22 - Mar 7 Sign him up!
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BillBlue added 17:33 - Mar 7 Heh rosseden. that's a bit drastic even for Daley! I like your comment PhoenixArizonaFan
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Keaneish added 17:33 - Mar 7 Completely agree Michael11. He's had a good season, shown his versatility and given a good account of himself whether off the bench or not. Decent enough goal return too given he's played a lot wide left. As a free i'd like to see him stay.
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PYBlue added 17:40 - Mar 7 Good signing and need squad players like Murphy.
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alexsmith111 added 17:48 - Mar 7 I'm sorry but the owner is a business man. So any criticism on how to run a business l, your several millions behind! Manager, biggest heart since magilton, biggest head since burley. Squad needs tweaking. Martin would thrive in a good squad. As would Henderson, loach, smith, murphy, and most of our strickers, even chopra!!. We are so much less wrong than people portray. A poor season and a few gaps filled behind us and we are play off. Easily! I'm sorry but every team can have a arse season, granted we have had a few. But feel that we are looking forward now instead of back. Except for the table!!!

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BuckieBlue added 17:50 - Mar 7 MM wants him to stay, willing to take pay cut, him & family happy, had a decent season....think he'll be staying. Good addition.
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