Alex Neil: No need to reassure Cork city duo

Preston North End put on a show of support for Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor at Turner’s Cross last night, but new manager Alex Neil insists there is no special need to reassure the departing Cork City stars they are still wanted by his new regime.

Neil brought his squad to City’s Europa League tie with AEK Larnaca to watch their new team-mates. And while he admits the pair weren’t on his radar in his previous job at Norwich City, the Scot says that’s not something Maguire and O’Connor should worry about.

“At Norwich, we were more focused on older players at that stage, in terms of guys who had played in the Championship,” he said. “But nowadays any club that signs players, it’s generally never one person’s decision. It’s a club decision. There’s got to be a consensus that this player will improve the squad.