PRESTON NORTH END boss Alex Neil was impressed with the performances of Irish duo Graham Burke and Seán Maguire who linked up well during a pre-season friendly for the club last weekend.
The pair excelled in a 7-0 win over Bamber Bridge with Burke netting early on his debut while Magurie came away with a hat-trick. Fellow Irishman Daryl Horgan was also in action for Preston and he provided the cross for Maguire’s second goal.
It was undoubtedly a successful day for the Irish contingent and the Preston manager can see some real potential in a strike partnership between Maguire and Burke.
“You could see the combination play between Graham and Sean,” Neil told the Lancashire Evening Post.
“They know each other and seemed to have a connection where they could pick each other out.
I was really pleased with those two.”
He added:
“Sean looked very sharp which is great. He took his goals well and could have had a couple more.
“Towards the end of last season I said that I didn’t think Sean was 100% following the injury he had. On Saturday I thought you could see that his sharpness was back.
I’m expecting big things from Sean this year.
Burke only signed for Preston last month from Shamrock Rovers on a three-year deal, but despite having already started his own campaign during the League of Ireland season, he is doing the same pre-season work as his Preston teammates.
“Graham just needs to do exactly the same as what the others lads are doing.”
“First of all, we don’t really know what shape Graham is in compared to the league we play in.
“We need to make sure he is topped up and in the same shape as the other lads.”
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