Notts County summer signing David McGoldrick has sent a message to the team’s younger players after yesterday’s 5-0 thrashing of Alfreton Town in a pre-season friendly.
Despite Derby County’s failure to reach the League One playoff spots last season, the former Republic of Ireland international could hold his head up high, finishing as the club’s top goalscorer with 25 goals, earning both the Fans’ Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season awards.
According to the BBC, the veteran was offered a new deal to remain at Pride Park but opted to make a rather surprising move to newly-promoted League Two side Notts County – the club where his career began two decades ago.
The 35-year-old featured for Notts County in yesterday’s emphatic win over Alfreton where he opened his account for the club with an extraordinary strike from range which circulated on social media.
McGoldrick on Luke Williams
Speaking to club media last night, McGoldrick professed his delight with finding the net but also heaped massive praise on head coach Luke Williams for his man-management approach:
“Every day in training, I’m learning off the gaffer. I’ve come at the age of 35 and I’m really enjoying learning off him every day.
“I think he said that I’ve got no ego. I feel like I’m a humble lad, I want to learn from him, I don’t want special treatment.”
Sending a message to the youngsters
McGoldrick also spent time talking about the values of hard work as a footballer and how the younger players within the squad should look at experienced heads such as himself as a guide for taking care of themselves [via Pride of Nottingham]:
“It’s been a tough preseason, but I really enjoyed it. If you’re a footballer, and you don’t enjoy hard work, then you’re in the wrong game, so it’s good.
“The fitter you are, the better you’re going to be as a player. I’m trying to tell the young lads that and I think they’ll learn from how the more experienced players look after themselves.”
Writer’s View
Having scored 25 goals in a higher league last season, bringing McGoldrick to Meadow Lane was an exceptional bit of business by the Magpies.
McGoldrick will add immense quality to the team, as proven by his screamer last night, but the Irishman’s experience will be unparalleled, having spent time in all of the top four divisions of English football.
The Notts County youngsters could learn a thing or two from the old man!
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