Grant Ward left Spurs for Ipswich on a permanent deal this summer.
Neil Warnock
Ex-Rotherham United manager Neil Warnock has told Talksport it was he who recommended Tottenham Hotspur’s Grant Ward to Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy.
Warnock inherited Ward during a spell at the New York Stadium last season, before the 21-year-old returned to Spurs at the end of his loan in May.
The veteran boss had previously predicted another temporary spell for Ward this campaign (BBC Radio Sheffield), but Ipswich went a step beyond – handing him a three-year deal at Portman Road.
The winger has been an immediate hit in Suffolk, scoring four goals in his first five Championship appearances – including an opening-day hat-trick against Barnsley.
Grant Ward
And Warnock claims he told McCarthy beforehand to expect a return on his reported £600,000 investment (Transfermarkt).
“I recommended Grant Ward to him because he did brilliant for me at Rotherham”, the 69-year-old told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “I don’t know what they paid, but I said to Mick whatever it cost you, you’ll get your money back.”
Mick McCarthy
Ward is a product of Spurs’ youth system, but never played for his former employers’ first team.
Yet despite his young age, he is still on course to hit the 100-appearance barrier this season, following loan spells at Coventry City, Chicago Fire and Rotherham.
Ward was one of a number of White Hart Lane youngsters to fly the nest this summer, along with Alex Pritchard, Dominic Ball and DeAndre Yedlin.
DeAndre Yedlin
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