McGugan hopes to have more to celebrate with Forest

LUKE Chambers joked that it was the furthest and the fastest he had seen him run during his Forest career.

But Lewis McGugan admits that, when he delivered the corner from which Chambers headed the winning goal last weekend, it was a significant moment for both of them.

Best friends off the pitch, the duo have had a shared frustration this season, as they fought to hold down a regular place in the Nottingham Forest side.

And, after combining to net the winning goal against Swansea last weekend, McGugan's emotions were made clear as he raced the width of the pitch to celebrate with the defender.

"We are close off the pitch and it has been hard sometimes, we have been through it together, not being involved as much as we would have liked," said McGugan.

"But it was a good way for us to finish the game, right at the end.

"I have helped him to get another goal, so he will be happy with that. He can return the favour whenever he likes.

"It is always nice to play a part in a goal. Hopefully I can do it a few more times between now and the end of the season.

"But we both know that we have to keep on trying, we have to keep waiting for our chance.

"I'd like to think that we took it on Saturday, hopefully things will move on from there now."

Having earned a reputation as being one of the brightest prospects outside of the Premiership last season, McGugan has shown great patience in recent months.

The product of the Reds youth academy has only started four Championship games this season.

Although, with skipper Paul McKenna sidelined with a knee injury, start number five could be on the horizon at Preston tomorrow.

And, while he admits to feeling down at times this season, McGugan is also aware of the need to remain focussed.

"We have to keep going, to keep being professional. Our chance will come along again, perhaps when we least expect it," he said.

"That is why we have to keep on our toes. We have to be ready to do a job when we are asked to come into the team.

"We will continue to do that. But we know that the whole squad will have a big part to play in the final matches of the season."

McGugan played more than 80 minutes of the victory over Swansea, having come off the bench to replace McKenna.

"Hopefully I can build on that performance and on my fitness and keep on going," he said.

"It has been difficult, you do go through lows.

"It is hard when you come on and score from the bench and then find yourself out of the team.

"You can't expect to play all the time when the team is playing so well.

"You just have to sit and be professional. You have to wait for your chance.

"That came for me on Saturday and I thought I did okay.

"But we are a squad together and everyone has a part to play. Hopefully I can start to do that between now and the end of the season."

Having gone ten months unbeaten away from home, Forest have now lost five on the bounce away from the City Ground.

With a trip to Barnsley following the game at Preston tomorrow, Forest have an opportunity to end that run.

But McGugan insists nobody is getting too downhearted about the situation.

"People have made more of things than we have," he said.

"We went on an unbeaten run for a long time away from home and now, we know things have not gone right for us away in the last four or five games.

"We know people will jump on that, because we were unbeaten away for so long.

"We just have to remain positive, because we know there is a job there to be done.

"But we are confident that we can get back to doing what we were doing before."

And, rather than becoming unsettled by his lack of opportunities this season, McGugan insists he is excited by the finale to the season.

"Everyone dreams of being a Premiership player and I'm no different," he said. "That chance is there now for us. It is up to us to finish off the good work we've done so far.

"I am a local lad, since I have started playing in the first team, this is where we always wanted to be, fighting it out at the top of the table.

"There is a big future here at the club and I want to be a part of that."