Skilled midfielder with Maradonna-like control. Kept Neil Lennon out of the side in 2007-08, his breakout season
Long regarded as a star of the future by Forest’s academy staff, McGugan is a cultured central midfield player who possesses fine close control and an uncanny ability to get himself out of the tightest of corners with a piece of trickery or a drop of the shoulder.
He made his debut in October 2006 in a Football League Trophy game against Gillingham and capped his first season with the club by scoring a fine free-kick – against the same opposition – which won him the Forest Goal of the Season award.
McGugan continued to make strides in 2007/08, keeping Neil Lennon out of the side, and his ability to get forward resulted in seven goals as the side won promotion.