Ipswich Town: Dara O’Shea on playing for Blues and character of team.

Dara O’Shea, the new defender for Ipswich Town, is adamant that the Blues already know they are capable of competing in the Premier League; they only need to show it.

The £12 million acquisition from Burnley made his Premier League debut for Town in an outstanding 0-0 draw against the high-flying Seagulls on Saturday, taking Luke Woolfenden’s spot in the back line.

The recently promoted Blues had their first clean sheet in the Premier League this year thanks to some incredible saves from keeper Aro Muric, who held Brighton at bay.

O’Shea said to TownTV, “It was my first time going in today, but I obviously played with Aro at Burnley before, so I know what an incredible keeper he is.

“But the first time in the backline with the lads today for myself was good.

“Obviously it’s going to take time for me to integrate properly and feel comfortable, but it’s a great way to start my time here with a point away.”

To a man, Town showed real fight and a willingness to put their bodies on the line at Brighton – and Irish international O’Shea said that’s a non negotiable if the side are going to succeed at the highest level.

“That’s the character of the team, we need to have this,” he insisted. “It’s not an easy league, you’re playing against the best players in the world, so you’ve got to be switched on and you’ve got to show your personality.

“Be brave in possession and out of possession – that was the message today, be brave.

“We know we’re good enough at this level—we’ve just got to go out and show it and prove it to ourselves and prove it to everyone else.”

Asked what his first league start for Town meant to him, O’Shea enthused:  “I’m immensely proud to play for this club. It’s a massive club, you see how good the fans were.

“I felt the energy and atmosphere in the ground during the last home game, which was my first time at Portman Road. That’s going to be so big for us this season,” said the player who was on the bench.

“We really benefitted from the amazing travel support we provided today.

This season, every member of the team will need to fulfil their individual responsibilities.

“We definitely will. I promise to give it everything I’ve got, and hopefully we come out on top and have a really successful season.”

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