I’M YOUR MAN

Maguire ready to be poacher Ireland require

SEAN MAGUIRE is not afraid of stepping into the void left by Robbie Keane and becoming a serial goal-getter that the Republic of Ireland are crying out for.

While no one will reach the 68-goal tally of recordbreaker Keane but Maguire, only 23, could become the next fox in the box, starting against Turkey tomorrow.

‘I scored a lot of goals with Cork, I’ve scored a few goals at Preston and when the chance arises tomorrow night then I feel that I can step up to it,’ said Maguire last night.

With five goals in his last four games at Preston, Maguire is on a roll, even if has some distance to go before he can earn comparisons with reliant Robbie.

‘To be mentioned in the same bracket as Robbie Keane is an achievement in itself,’ said Maguire.

‘Obviously, there has not been that goal-scorer since he has left. I just need to keep working hard and if that opportunity arises then I feel that I

will take it.’ Maguire is on a scoring roll, from Cork City last season to Preston this, either side of a fourmonth injury lay-off, which he reckons may have been ‘a blessing in disguise.’ ‘Confidence is a massive thing in football. I feel I’m a confident player,’ he said. ‘Five months ago, I got that bad injury and people probably felt that confidence was going to wear off. Even throughout my injury I knew that I was going to come back strong.’ Maguire and Scott Hogan are pushing each other this week, eager to convince Martin O’Neill of their merits. ‘We are both similar players, similar height, our movement is quite good,’ said Maguire. ‘This week is an opportunity for us to catch the eye of the manager.’ Maguire reckons he is stronger for a career which has been ‘a bit of a roller coaster ride since my West Ham days.’ ‘I did quite well at Accrington, everyone knows what happened at Dundalk, and I then had a great time at Cork City – I owe John Caulfield a huge debt.’