Debutant delighted with Derby goal
It was not the best goal he has scored in his career.
But Adam McGurk was not bothered about that after helping Pompey knock Derby out of the Capital One Cup.
The debutant opened the scoring in the first round tie at Fratton Park when Rams keeper Lee Grant failed to keep out his header.
Then, after Jason Shackell had headed the visitors level, substitute Conor Chaplin popped up with the winner.
And McGurk was happy to be back in action again after missing the majority of pre-season with a thigh problem.
The summer signing said: “The goal was down to a bad error from the goalkeeper, so I’m not going to big it up too much.
“The cross went a bit behind me, so I just did my best to get the ball on target. I looked away thinking it had been saved and then heard the roar.
“But they all count and I don’t care if they go in off my head, shin, whatever. It’s just nice to get off the mark.
“I didn’t play as much football as the rest of the lads in pre-season, so it was nice to get out there and get some sharpness back.
“But now we’re focusing on going to Plymouth and hopefully getting another good result in the league.”
Pompey will find out their second round opponents when the draw is made on Sky Sports at around 10pm tonight.
McGurk said: “Obviously the clubs I’ve played for in the past – Burton and Villa – would be nice, but I’ll take anyone at home.
“The atmosphere and volume at Fratton Park was amazing for a first round cup game and I don’t think we’d fear any side here.”