Connect with us

Championship

Goals Are Parr For The Course At Ipswich Town!

IPSWICH aren’t struggling for goals at the moment but if the Tractor Boys do find themselves short of firepower, they could call on their secret weapon.

By Luke Baker

aren’t struggling for goals at the moment but if the do find themselves short of firepower, they could call on their secret weapon.

Jonathan Parr may be keeping the opposition at bay as a full-back,  but it wasn’t long ago that the defender was leading the line in his native Norway.

The 25- year-old played up front throughout a youth career that included stops at KFUM Oslo, Hauger FK and Lyn – and only an injury crisis in the lead-up to his 20th birthday brought a move backwards.

On joining Ipswich from in the summer, Parr was considered a natural replacement for -bound left-back Aaron Cresswell – although he has been starting at right-back this year as Tyrone Mings locks down the left-hand side of Ipswich’s back four.

But until recently Parr admits he was aiming to emulate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rather than John Arne Riise.

“I played as a striker until I was about 19,” he said. “I played seven games and scored four goals for the Norway U19 team so I probably should have stuck as a striker!

“It was one of those things that just happened – I started playing a bit as a winger and then we got an injury at full-back.

Stamina

“I had to step in, I did well and stayed there  – it suited me because I could use my pace and stamina to get up and down the pitch.

“It felt good, I became even more comfortable over time and I’ve improved since.”

Parr doesn’t appear to have lost his predatory instincts just yet, though, as he notched his first goal in Ipswich colours against in September.

But the Norwegian is targeting clean sheets these days as Ipswich make their assault on promotion. Having tasted the highest level of English during 15 top-flight appearances for Palace last season, Parr says he’s desperate to return with the Tractor Boys.

“In Norway you grow up watching English football,” he added. “It’s the league that is shown on TV and everyone watches.

“So it was always a goal for me to play in and getting to play in the last season was a big thing. I want to get back there –  and hopefully we can.

“Growing up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and John Arne Riise, below, were role models.

“They showed that even if you’re from Norway it’s possible to do well in one of the best leagues in the world.”

Riise’s retirement from the international game, after 110 caps, in May last year has opened the way for Parr to make his comeback.

Parr has nine caps for Norway but has not since coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Ukraine in February 2013.

“A big goal of mine is to get back into that international set-up,” continued Parr. “If I keep playing well for Ipswich I will get my chance.”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tackle the News

- Sign Up for our weekly Football League Newsletter Today!
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Best Betting Sites at Betinireland.ienew-UK-football-betting-sites-banner

More in Championship

  • Electric frontman Electric frontman

    Jamie Vardy “perfect” for Sheffield United – says Don Hutchinson

    Former Sheffield United midfielder Don Hutchinson is backing Sheffield Wednesday fan and former academy player Jamie Vardy to make the switch to Bramall Lane this summer.  Vardy left Leicester City at the end of last season, following 13 years at the Foxes, in which time he won a Premier League title and scored 183 goals in the process.  Born in Sheffield, the striker was an Owls...

  • Danny Ward has returned to his hometown club Wrexham (Mike Egerton/PA) Danny Ward has returned to his hometown club Wrexham (Mike Egerton/PA)

    Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward joins hometown club Wrexham

    Former Liverpool and Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward has completed an emotional return to his hometown club Wrexham.

  • Birmingham Birmingham

    Sky Bet EFL Fixtures Revealed for 2025/26 Season

    The fixtures for the 2025/26 Sky Bet EFL season have been confirmed, with all opening weekend matches in the Championship, League One and League Two set to once again be broadcast live on Sky Sports.  The action gets underway in League One and League Two over the weekend of 1-3...

  • Rob Edwards has been appointed as Middlesbrough’s new head coach (Zac Goodwin/PA) Rob Edwards has been appointed as Middlesbrough’s new head coach (Zac Goodwin/PA)

    Rob Edwards named new boss of Middlesbrough

    Rob Edwards has been appointed as Middlesbrough’s new head coach on a three-year deal.