I’LL GET TO TOP ... WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, TOWN

IPSWICH boss Mick Mccarthy has underlined his desire to be back in the Premier League – with or without the Tractor Boys.

Mccarthy, 58, who took former clubs Sunderland and Wolves into the top flight, will celebrate 25 years in management next month.

A few weeks ago, with form poor and Portman Road fans continuing to call for his head, he admitted he would be considering his future in the summer.

But things have improved recently and today he takes his rejuvenated team to bitter rivals Norwich on the back of a four-game unbeaten run.

He said: “I’ve got a year’s contract to run so I can’t just up sticks and go anywhere else.

“I love doing this job and I give everything to it. I just wondered if the fans were getting tired of me.

“Me turning up next season going ‘hello’ and they all go ‘f*** off, we don’t want you’ – that’s not going to be any good is it?”

Mccarthy is the Championship’s longest-serving manager – but he operates on one of the lowest budgets. He has no intention of retiring and if the Tractor Boys do not renew his contract next year then he will look to continue in the game elsewhere.

But the immediate priority for Mccarthy (above) will be to sit down with owner Marcus Evans in the summer to discuss the best way forward at Portman Road.

He added: “I am not happy where we are. I want to be more competitive. I am not happy being mid-table and thinking there is no pressure.

“If anybody thinks, ‘Oh, he’s on a nice little number down there, mid-table, it doesn’t really matter,’ that is far from the truth.

“I want to know what we’re going to do, I want to know what the budget will be, I want to know if we can be competitive.

“And I want to know that if I’m going to be here that the club is going to be happy with that.

“I’m still very ambitious. It burns brightly and I’d like to be back in the Premier League.

“It’s not going to happen this season and it might never happen again – but it won’t stop me wanting it.”