MAGUIRE: BIG CROWDS DRAW BEST OUT OF ME
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Chris Maguire is desperate to relaunch his career at Sunderland and believes he will thrive on the pressure of playing for such a big club.
Maguire made the switch last week after a wretched year at Bury, in which he scored two goals as the Shakers were relegated to League Two.
With a previously strong track record at football league level, the 29-year-old believes the Stadium of Light will prove to be the perfect platform for him to showcase his talents.
He said: “As a player I want to play at the highest level, I’ve always said I want to get back to the Championship and Sunderland in that league is a big thing.
“My aims are the same as the club and hopefully this is our only season in League One.
“I’m delighted to get the move, last year was one that I want to forget quickly.
“It’s one that I didn’t enjoy, to come in here where there is a buzz and to get that love for football again, it can only benefit myself. I’m looking forward to it.
“I love playing in front of big crowds, some might not relish that but it seems to get the best out of me.
“You see the size of the stadium, the season tickets already sold, you just can’t wait to get started. At previous clubs the fans seem to have taken to me.
“We’ll take last year out of sense of a fresh start is palpable as pre-season begins.
All four of Jack Ross’ summer signings have linked up with the squad on the preseason tour of Portugal, with Dylan McGeouch and Reece James set to follow.
Maguire said: “It’s a fresh start for everyone. New owners, new manager, new staff, new players. It’s a fresh start and the mood has been really bubbly, it’s bright.
“Yeah, we’re short on numbers in terms of players but that will get sorted and us on the pitch at the moment just have to do what we have to do in the meantime. That’s all in place and the hard work is underway.”
Maguire’s football league experience was one of the key