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

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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ChrisMakin2012 added 17:50 - Mar 7 WE WANT YOU TO STAY
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Alwaysablue added 19:08 - Mar 7 Get a grip Daley you are clueless. Murphy is a very effective player in the air and puts in a good shift, seems like he has a weak spot for ipswich as well.
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Tufty added 19:41 - Mar 7 Go back to narridge Daley. Remember Bambi's mother `if you can't say something nice don't say nothing at all`
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Talbs77 added 20:05 - Mar 7 I think he's done particularly well since MM got here, although he's done a job down the left, he's not a winger in a million years. Much better down the middle. Deserves a deal.
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roytheboy added 22:16 - Mar 7 Certainly one of my favourite players.
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thorpeblue added 22:51 - Mar 7 2 things spring to mind. 1. If the wife and children are happy here that is a huge reason to stay 2. Who are we going to attract who is significantly better? sign him I say
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Hong_Kong_Bluey added 00:44 - Mar 8 i'm sure that's one of the Daley's who used to go to Copleston.................. he was a miserable-no-friends-fothermucker then, and it's great to see he's still the same
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arc added 01:26 - Mar 8 I would love to see Murphy, N'Daw, and Stearman all stay (as long as we wouldn't have to break the bank for them). All good hard-working pros and adaptable too. And it's about time we had some continuity around here!!
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BrettenhamBlue added 04:14 - Mar 8 DaleyIFC- Good idea. Excellent. So, if a big business has a problem it should sack everyone and restart? Well done DaleyIFC- hope you are in charge of our club soon.....NOT
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brian_a_mul added 09:59 - Mar 8 Murphs has been one of our most consistant players over the past few seasons. He is adaptable, hard working and commited. He is also a popular guy and settled in the area, if an agreeable wage can be sorted its a no brainer. A fantastic squad player at the peak of his powers.
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theobald1985 added 10:25 - Mar 8 alexsmith111 excellent post on page 1 totally agree. Sign murphy usefull player adds height strength a threat from set plays exactly the type of player we want to stay
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