What 'forgotten' former Sheffield Wednesday star has said about his future

The 31-year-old hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since starring for Northampton Town in their 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth in League One on Saturday December 30 2017.

Trials with St Mirren, Bradford City and Port Vale have all come to nothing since then and now McGugan – who played 39 times for Wednesday and scored nine goals between 2015 and 2017 – has spoken about his time away from the game and how his two young sons have helped him to remain positive as he looks to kick-start his career.

“You’ve just got to stay positive and hopefully somebody will give you a chance,” he told talkSPORT. “I’ve been really, really low and my two boys have kept me going really.

“If it wasn’t for them I don’t know what my mindset would be but I’ve got a job with my dad. They look up to me and I’ve got to keep going for them, that’s all I’m trying to do.

“Now I’m a dad I look at things from a completely different angle. You do have your tough days when you’re down but once you see their faces it kind of reminds you of what you’re doing and what you’re going through."

McGugan, who burst onto the scene as an exciting youngster at Nottingham Forest and also had a spell at Watford, says he is desperate to return to the game and is open to offers from clubs abroad if nothing materialises in England.

“I think at this point in time I want to try and give as much time as possible to the Football League and see if it’s possible to get back in,” he said.

“I have looked at the international market and I am not considering it seriously right now but if something doesn’t come then yes I’d definitely take a more serious look at it.”