GEORGE HIRST’S father David starred for Sheffield Wednesday in the Premier League and even earned three England caps during his successful career.
But despite playing in the same position, the Ipswich striker has never felt pressure to emulate his old man.
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The 24-year-old began his career at Wednesday, but left for Belgium after just two appearances.
Following a brief stint at OH Leuven he returned to these shores with Leicester City, going on to be farmed out on four loans.
In the last of these temporary spells Hirst found somewhere he wanted to call a home on a more regular basis in Portman Road.
The 6ft 4in target man bagged six goals during the second half of Ipswich’s promotion campaign last term, and has been a regular this time around in the Championship.
Despite his illustrious dad, Hirst has never felt the weight of his surname.
Speaking to The Portsmouth News in 2021, he said: “I don’t see it as a pressure because we are two completely different strikers.
“As much as people will make the comparisons naturally, my dad is 5ft 11in, even though he tells me he’s 6ft! I’m 6ft 4in. He’s left footed, I’m right footed.
“So straight away I don’t see the comparison at all, there are differences.
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“Growing up with that hasn’t been a pressure, I’ve seen it as a free learning tool. You can have the best coach in the world, but to have someone like that on my doorstep at home every night, looking at my clips, giving me little pointers, is invaluable.”
Hirst does dream of improving on his dad’s exploits, however, adding: “I would love to be able to retire and say I played for England more times than he did!
“He also spends a lot of time talking about his goal in the 1993 FA Cup final, so if I can score a couple that would be brilliant.”
Hirst’s Ipswich Town are certainly headed in the right direction.
Having sealed promotion from League One courtesy of a runners-up finish behind Plymouth Argyle last term, the Tractor Boys have raced out of the blocks in the second tier.
Kieran McKenna’s men sit second in the Championship table after 11 games, just two points behind Hirst’s former team Leicester.
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On why he wanted to stay at Portman Road, Hirst said in the summer: “Ipswich has felt like home for the last six months and a big part of why I wanted to come back.
“The last few months of last season were massive for me, doing what we did as a team, and that was something I wanted to carry on being part of. The reception I got from the fans, players and staff here was brilliant.”
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