Chris Maguire: Lincoln forward explains goal celebration in front of Sunderland boss Lee Johnson

2 years ago 58

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Lincoln City's Chris Maguire says his goal celebration in front of Sunderland boss Lee Johnson during Tuesday's 3-1 win stemmed from the disappointing way his time at the Stadium of Light ended.

The 32-year-old forward ran to Johnson to celebrate the first goal of his hat-trick, as he punished his old club.

Maguire joined Lincoln after his release by the Black Cats last summer.

"You could probably say it was a little bit personal, with how my time here ended," he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

"I just do my talking on the pitch and I've done that again.

"It was a bit of tongue in cheek. He [Johnson] tried to get me sent off with my first tackle, and people at this ground know I like to wind up.

"I've great respect for the Sunderland fans - I loved my time here and it wasn't to be disrespectful to them. I hope they can see that. I thought I was hard done by the last six months of my career.

"I played here for three years. It's a great place to play football and an even better place to get three points and win a game of football."

Since joining Lincoln, the Scotland international has scored five goals in 21 games to follow 28 in 124 appearances on Wearside.

While it was a memorable night for Maguire and Lincoln, for Johnson the evening was a forgettable one as it ended with a disappointing defeat and his dismissal from the touchline late on.

The 40-year-old Sunderland boss refused to criticise Maguire in the aftermath.

"It's not really for me to comment," Johnson told BBC Radio Newcastle. "When a player is at a club, you pick an honest team and don't hold grudges. Players sometimes move on which is part of the game.

"You pick players, like [Elliot] Embleton, [Alex] Pritchard, based on your belief in those individuals. Today he's had his day and good luck to him."

Johnson's sending off at the end came after a lunging challenge from Callum Doyle sparked a touchline melee between the two teams.

"I thought it was a high tackle from Callum, wasn't the best tackle in the world, but when there's an 18-year-old lad, albeit a big one, getting picked on in front of me, I felt it was right to prevent and defend," Johnson added.

"The craziness is I get sent off, nobody else does. That's frustrating, but I've got to be accountable for my actions. I'll take whatever punishment comes on the chin."

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