Caltex Socceroos midfielder driving Hull City’s promotion push
Jackson Irvine is using the experience with the Caltex Socceroos at the AFC Asian Cup to help drive Hull City’s promotion push in England’s Championship.
Irvine returned to action for the Tigers over the weekend after missing six matches for the club while in the UAE with Australia.
And the 25-year-old was immediately thrust back into Nigel Adkins’ starting side as Hull recorded a 2-0 win over Stoke City.
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It continues an excellent campaign for Irvine, who has scored five goals from 22 appearances – including a match-winning double against Preston on Boxing Day.
“I’m pleased to be back with the lads, pleased to be back in the team and pleased to have been able to help us pick up what was an important three points against Stoke at the weekend,” Irvine told Hull City’s official website.
“Sometimes the best way to get over a disappointment is to just kick on.
“I didn’t hang around after we’d been knocked out of the Asian Cup and got on the next plane home.
“I got to watch all the games while I was in the UAE and it was great to see us pick up some fantastic wins and produce some brilliant team performances.
“It really was a team effort. Everyone was contributing and we scored some great goals. It was great to see the boys kick on and continue to climb the table.”
The win over the Potters has seen Hull City climb to 10th on the Championship table.
They are just four points outside the play-off places ahead of this weekend’s trip to seventh-placed Derby County.