IT’S FULL-BACK TO THE FUTURE
Mckenna helped Kyle get into the right position at early age v
KYLE WALKER-PETERS has Kieran Mckenna to thank for setting him on course to the top.
The pair worked together when Mckenna was a coach in Tottenham’s youth set-up and a teenage Walker-peters was trying to make his way in the game.
And the duo will be reunited at Portman Road when Walker-peters and his Southampton team-mates will attempt to stall Ipswich’s promotion bid – and boost their own.
The Saints full-back, 26, has flourished under boss Russell Martin this season but admits Tractor Boys boss Mckenna played a major role in his development.
He said: “I’m pretty sure he was one of the staff members responsible for making me a full-back.
“He’s a great guy, a great coach and everyone can see the great job he’s doing at Ipswich.”
Walker-peters believes the evolution of the modern full-back role is bringing out the best in him, as has the arrival of Martin at St Mary’s.
He added: “You could say it’s almost perfect for me, full-backs inverting and being a lot more attacking.
“Russell coming in and all his staff has made a huge difference to the club and I’ve enjoyed playing under him.
“As a footballer everybody wants to be on the ball as much as possible.
“And it’s credit to Russell for getting that style implemented into the team really well and to all the boys for taking it on board.”
Friday’s home draw with Middlesbrough was a blow to Saints’ hopes of an automatic promotion spot.
But the defender is determined to help fire Southampton back into the top flight.
The full-back said: “It would mean a lot to get back into the Premier League.
“I came here as a 22-year-old looking for more game time and they gave me the platform to do that. So getting the club back to the Premier League would be big for me.”
Mckenna admits the clash was one of the standout fixtures after the Tractor Boys were promoted last season.
He said: “It’s one of the games you look for – when are you going to play the teams who are just down from the Premier League.”