Maguire desperate to transfer reserve form to Pompey

Namely nine in 15 games for Derby’s reserves this season as he looks to prove his worth in English football.

The emergency loan recruit has been earmarked to provide the fire-power so crucially absent from Michael Appleton’s side.

It was against the Blues when he scored on his full Championship debut, as the Rams ran out 3-1 winners back in October.

By that stage he had already netted on his Derby bow against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup.

An encouraging start to his Pride Park career following a summer arrival from Aberdeen – yet Maguire has not played for Nigel Clough’s men since November 19.

Since then he has knuckled down with plenty of goals for the second string.

That included a hat-trick against Pinxton in a 4-0 Derbyshire Senior Cup tie.

Now the Scotland international is back in the first-team frame, this time at Pompey.

How Appleton needs his goal input with just two recorded in the past eight matches.

And Maguire is relishing the opportunity to show what he can produce with a settled run in a side.

He said: ‘I need a run of games to show what I can do, not just a few games.

‘I have been working hard behind the scenes and scoring regularly for the reserves so hopefully I can bring that here as well.

‘It would be better if it was first-team goals rather than reserve but that’s my job and hopefully I can do it here.

‘You can go two ways, sit and be happy just thinking “Oh well, I have a three-year contract here and be safe”.

‘Or you can go out there and work and try to show people you are not that type of player and want to be playing.

‘To be fair, I am one of those people that loves going in working and I’ll do extra when I can and just love to play football.

‘I’ve not even been getting on the bench for league games at Derby.

‘The only time lately has been for the FA Cup ties but, again, I didn’t get on.

‘So it has been back to square one on the training field and putting in the performances there and in reserve games, getting my match fitness up.

‘I had a word with the gaffer (Clough) at the time.

‘And, obviously, you hear what he has got to say and I’ve said my bit and, to be fair, I’ve just gone away and worked hard.

‘It is one of those things, you just have to keep going.

‘That’s why I am here – to score goals.

‘I have done it everywhere I have played, so hopefully I can continue it down here.’

Maguire came through the ranks at Aberdeen, going on to make 158 appearances and scoring 24 goals.

Out of contract in the summer, he moved south of the border to Derby, although the Dons were entitled to £400,000 in compensation.

Since then he has played eight Derby games, of which just three have been starts.

And the 23-year-old is looking to catch the eye of Clough during his south coast loan spell.

He added: ‘I don’t know why I have not been part of things, to be honest.

‘I will leave that for the gaffer to say because I have been working hard behind the scenes and hopefully I can catch his eye.

‘Don’t get me wrong, it is a great set-up at Derby.

‘I’ve got three years left and hopefully I can do well here and catch the eye.

‘If people can see that then they can ask questions why I am not playing.’