Preston North End manager Alex Neil has hailed striker Seani Maguire as a natural goalscorer following his side’s 2-1 win over Bristol City on Tuesday.
Maguire came off the bench in the 65th minute replacing Billy Bodin for the second consecutive game, and for the second consecutive game he netted the match winner for the Lilywhites.
The Ireland forward weaved his way between two defenders and slid the ball past City goalkeeper Frank Fielding and into the back of the net.
https://twitter.com/ChrisPitcher/status/971132384170205184
It’s Maguire’s third goal in what is just his second game back from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for the last three months with Preston boss Neil mightily impressed by his young striker’s contribution.
“We were always intending on putting Seanie on and getting him some minutes,” Neil told Preston’s official website.
“I’d like to have started him but I don’t think he’s quite ready for that at the moment but again he shows his value and what we’ve been missing all season.
“It was fantastic. He’s got a lot to do. It’s a good pass through from DJ and then he’s got to make sure he shows composure, shows a bit of quality, a bit of pace and he does all of that and he tucks it in the corner.
“I think at that stage we really needed that shot in the arm because we’d been dominant in the game and we’d let them back in with a sloppy goal.”
Following Preston’s win over Bolton last weekend, a game in which Maguire scored two goals off the bench, the former Cork City forward said that it was great to get back out on the pitch after spending the last three months sidelined with a hamstring injury.
“You can’t write this stuff,” said Maguire.
“To even be back involved with four thousand fans singing your name in a big game derby game that you have to win and to contribute to that and score two goals, it’s the best feeling I’ve had in football.
“Being out for four months and being frustrated a lot of the time coming in knowing you’re not going to be involved and in the matchday squad so to be back here today and to be involved was great.
“Coming on did a lot for my confidence but to score my first brace for the club is the best feeling in my football career.
“The first day I got injured, I went to the physio myself and said this is the game I want to be back for, and that’s a lot of credit to him.
“I felt good today and I felt sharp coming on. We’ve a lot of big games coming up now and by this time next week, we’ll have everybody back fit and Darnell back from injury.”
