MATCH-winner Jason Scotland has pleaded with Paul Jewell not to show him the door at Ipswich Town.
The 32-year-old gave the Blues a timely reminder of his ability after scoring a fantastic equaliser and then setting up Keith Andrews’ dramatic 89th minute winner in Saturday’s crucial 2-1 win over Leeds United.
Perversely it might add fuel to the fire that the Trinidadian frontman could be leaving Portman Road with Town overloaded with strikers and Championship rivals sniffing around.
But Scotland insisted: “I want to stay at Ipswich. There is a good bunch of boys here and we want to do well and push up to the top of the table.
“I am just concentrating on getting as fit as possible and taking my chances. I am not thinking about moving but anything can happen in football. I am just getting my head down.”
After League One Sheffield Wednesday showed interest in Scotland in the summer, it is now thought Town’s divisional rivals could be leading the hunt with scouts from Birmingham City believed to be at Portman Road on Saturday.
And they would have left hugely impressed by his 23-minute cameo performance as he helped rescue three points for the Blues against 10 men.
It ensured Scotland continued his fine scoring form at Portman Road – where 10 of his 11 goals have come – and also against Leeds, a factor which persuaded Jewell to pick him ahead of Nathan Ellington.
Scotland said: “I always seem to score against Leeds – and at home. It is probably because I like celebrating in front of the fans.
“But this season hopefully I can take it into away games and get a couple of goals away from home.”
After Scotland’s starring role in ending Town’s miserable run of four defeats, Jewell said: “When I was picking my bench today I looked at his record against Leeds and he’s always done well against them.
“Jason has been in and out but he’s never sulked. He’s worked hard, knuckled down and scored a terrific goal and been involved in the second one.”
But just two days before the end of the transfer window, the Blues boss warned: “Every player is for sale if the money is right, but I’m certainly not kicking anyone out the door.”