Why Kieran McKenna was 'disappointed' at Cameron Burgess' Ipswich Town exit for Swansea City | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna discussed Cameron Burgess' move from Ipswich Town to Swansea City ahead of this weekend's trip to South Wales

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has opened up on his feelings regarding Cameron Burgess' Portman Road exit and subsequent move to Championship rivals Swansea City ahead of Saturday afternoon's trip across the border to South Wales.

The Tractor Boys will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to four matches, having been held to a 1-1 draw at home to Watford on Tuesday evening after clinching consecutive victories over QPR and West Bromwich Albion.

Ipswich are now up to 10th and find themselves positioned just three points outside of the top-six, which they will intend on breaking into in the coming weeks as McKenna eyes his second successive promotion to the Premier League in Suffolk.

And his outfit are traveling to face a Swansea side in rather mixed form, having won just one of their last six league fixtures — which came last month at home to 22nd-placed East Anglian rivals Norwich City. Ipswich, then, have every right to fancy their chances of continuing a recent uptick in form, with the impending reunion with Burgess another storyline heading into tomorrow's trip to the Swansea.com Stadium.

The 21-cap Australian international defender spent four years with Ipswich following his move from Accrington Stanley in the summer of 2021 and helped McKenna's side achieve successive promotions from League One to the Premier League, before finding himself out of contract upon Town's relegation from the top-flight and rejecting the offer of a new deal in order to join Swansea.

McKenna wanted to retain Burgess' services, though the 30-year-old saw it differently and seized the opportunity to play regularly elsewhere, which he has done by playing every available league minute in SA1 to date, after settling for a more reduced role behind the likes of Jacob Greaves and Dara O'Shea last term.

Kieran McKenna reveals Ipswich Town disappointment involving Cameron Burgess after Swansea City move

Speaking in preparation for the showdown with Alan Sheehan's side, McKenna described his lack of surprise at Burgess establishing himself at the heart of Swansea's defence this season and is pleased to see the Aussie returning to regular football.

Indeed, McKenna is looking forward to catching up with Burgess, although he also outlined his disappointment at having lost the former Town favourite over the summer — even if he understands the reasoning behind the decision to reject fresh terms at Portman Road.

McKenna said: "No, no surprise [to see Burgess playing regularly]. And from his point of view, it’s good to see him getting those minutes.

"He’s been playing well. I’ve seen plenty of their games in prep for this and also a few in the cup run as well. It’ll be good to see him on Saturday, good to catch up with him after the game, hopefully at the end of a positive result from our point of view.

"But, of course, he’s someone who we all think very highly of here as a player and as a character as well, and we wish him well. Glad to see him doing well at club and international level. Hopefully we’ll disrupt that a little bit on Saturday, but good to see him doing well."

On Burgess' departure from Ipswich, the Northern Irishman was quizzed on whether the parties involved were not quite aligned in what was wanted. He added: "There or thereabouts. Cam was a free agent, he was out of contract, so he was right to look at what’s best for his future as well.

"It’s obvious the things most players want, lots of playing time and to do as well financially as possible.

"He’s played good minutes here and he weighed up all his options and Swansea, I guess, was the offer that gave the best of those two in terms of playing minutes and I’m sure a good contract.

“Disappointed to lose him, he certainly has always been and would have been a strong addition to our group.

“But players are within their rights to make those decisions and as much as we’re disappointed to lose him, we all wished him well.

"And he’s come a really good way in his career over the last few years and genuinely I think we all hope that he has some good years ahead. But just not including Saturday."

Cameron Burgess' Ipswich Town, Swansea City transfer decision made perfect sense

There is no tinge of bitterness from McKenna, who was open in admitting his disappointment from a footballing perspective but is equally understanding of Burgess' desire to play regular football after helping Ipswich achieve so much success across his time with the club.

The former Fulham man has established himself as a top-quality central defender at Championship level and is showing exactly that with Swansea, quickly becoming a fan favourite with the Jack Army in South Wales.

He was only ever going to be used in a squad rotational role under McKenna once more this season, and with Cedric Kipre having subsequently joined the ranks, there's a question as to how much Ipswich have really been feeling his absence on the pitch.

Burgess himself, despite Swansea's disappointing present position of 17th, which has placed strong pressure from supporters on under-fire boss Sheehan, has enjoyed a strong start to life with his new side on an individual level, and he should have no regrets at his decision.