Mcgoldrick is getting fitter and hungry for more goals
DAVID Mcgoldrick was thrilled to score his first goal for Derby County – and predicted they will also soon start flowing for striker James Collins.
The former Sheffield United forward hit a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Peterborough United at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday as the Rams secured all three points, having trailed to 10 men.
The 2-1 win lifted the Rams up to sixth in League One. They have lost only once and Mcgoldrick said the scenes at the end of the victory against Grant Mccann’s Posh proved the togetherness of the dressing room.
“As a striker you enjoy your goals and especially when they come as a winner as well,” Mcgoldrick told Rams TV.
“We hadn’t scored for a few games, so to get two right at the end was nice. It was a pleasing day all around and it’s always special to turn it around late on.
“We are all together as one in the dressing room and it helps with the team bonding, too, celebrating together at the end, especially as quite a few of us have come through the door this summer. The changing room was very happy after.”
Mcgoldrick’s performances recently have underlined why the Rams had made him one of their top targets this summer, although he missed the opening four games as he recovered from an injury he picked up in pre-season.
The 34-year-old went on as a substitute for Collins at the weekend with 20 minutes remaining, leaving the former Cardiff City striker still searching for his first
goal since arriving on a free transfer. But Mcgoldrick feels it is a case of when, not if, the goals start flowing for his team-mate.
“I feel I am getting fitter,” he said. “I came here after a four or five-month spell out, following an operation.
“I’ve been building my fitness up and I had a setback by doing too much too soon but now I am building things up slowly.
“James Collins is a top centre forward and the goals will come for him without a doubt, while the other lads behind him are doing great and I am happy to support them and compete for a place.
“The way we play, we know teams will sit in and make it hard so it’s down to us all to find a way through at times and with the quality we have, goals will be scored.”