Kieran McKenna embracing life 'in the deep end' with Ipswich
Ipswich travel to Manchester City after defeat in their opener to Liverpool, but Kieran McKenna hopes a tough start can fast-track their adjustment to life in the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys produced a strong first-half display at a buoyant Portman Road on Saturday before the Reds improved after the break to clinch a 2-0 win through Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah goals.
Having secured a historic and emotional top-flight return following 22 years away, McKenna insisted they would relish a trip to the current league champions City.
"The way the fixtures have come out, with it being Liverpool and Manchester City the first two games, we take it as a real positive," the Co Fermanagh man said.
"We know that it will give us a real good insight into the top echelons of the league.
"It will be about full commitment to each game..."
"We know the group is right in at the deep end, but we feel like that can hopefully fast-track our development and adjustment to this league.
"We won't spend much time talking about the league table, positions or points because that is not how we work. That is not how we have got to this point.
"It will be about full commitment to each game, give each game our best, learn our lessons, train and prepare really well and get ready to go again. That will be the same whoever we play."
McKenna gave first Premier League starts to 10 players on Saturday and was eager to highlight the patience of goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Walton was first choice during Ipswich's promotion from League One, but was back-up last season and got a late call-up due to a calf injury for summer signing Arijanet Muric.
He added: "We were hoping Muric would be OK up until he had a fitness test in the morning, but he wasn't able to make it.
"It