Yeovil Town loan signing striker Ciaran McGuckin has said the lure of being developed by manager Mark Cooper was a major part in his decision to return to Somerset.
The 21-year-old has rejoined from League One Rotherham United until the end of the season having impressed during a one-month spell which ended prematurely when he was recalled by his parent club in October.
He scored twice in six appearances during his previous stint and said he wants to pick up where he left off with the Glovers taking on Woking at Huish Park this weekend.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah, McGuckin said: “There was quite a few decent clubs interested in me, but the way that Mark showed his interest last time and his willingness to develop me as a player and a person was unmatched to what I could get elsewhere. He showed a lot of faith and loyalty in me last time by playing me in games when I hadn’t played in five or six months and it was only right I repaid him for that. But also I want to develop and learn and he is the right man to do that.”
Talking about his recall to Rotherham, he added: “I looked at it positively, the reason I got called back was because I was doing the things I should have been doing. I managed to play in a league I had not played in before under a manager that I only just met when I walked back in the door, and I learnt a lot from some high calibre players whose careers have been what I can only dream of. It was nice to learn from them and see what they have to say about my game and what I could learn from them.”
McGuckin returns to a Yeovil side sat in 12th place in the National League Premier table having not won in their last three matches over the Christmas-New Year period, but believes the squad is more than capable of pushing of the play-off places, which they currently sit four points off.
He said: “When I left we were in a good position and, looking at the results since I have been away, they went toe-to-toe with Forest Green Rovers (in the 2-1 away defeat on New Year’s Day), who are meant to be one of the best teams in the league. I have only managed to train with the boys once but the standard is up there and the boys are ready to go and wanting to fight. I want to be in that environment, in a team that is looking to push to the top and I think that is exactly what we will do.”
The Northern Ireland Under-21s international made three League One appearances for Rotherham following his return, including starting the South Yorkshire derby with Barnsley in his first match back, and admits he wants to get back in to the rhythm he was in before his abrupt departure.
He said: “I always set targets wherever I go and I had plenty of targets when I first came here and my time was cut short, so those targets continue and they include fighting for the play-offs and scoring more goals. I just have to get back playing and find that rhythm again.
“People would be surprised at the standard of the non-League game. There may be a slight change in tempo, but I look at some of the boys here and ask ‘how are you not playing higher?’ It is not as big a gap between League One and non-League as some may think.”
McGuckin’s first opportunity to impress in front of the Huish Park faithful comes this weekend when a rejuvenated Woking side arrive in Somerset. The Cards are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions since appointing Neal Ardley as manager following the sacking of Michael Doyle, who was in charge when the Glovers ran out 2-0 winners in Surrey at the end of November.
Speaking about his re-debut, the loanee added: “(Woking) have picked up a little bit and I watched their game the other day when they won 3-1 (at home to Maidenhead United on New Year’s Day) and they look a decent side, so it will not be an easy game for us. But we are here at Huish Park, so that should help. I think I scored last time on my first full game here, so I will be going for that again. We will prepare properly and ready to take on the game.
“Huish Park is a proper Football League stadium. The first time I saw it I was taken aback by it a little bit, it is a bit different to what I have played in before. It remind me of the games I used to go and watch with my Dad and the fans are just top, the reception they have given me and the boys especially at home are a big part of why I wanted to come back as well.”
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