CHRIS Maguire says it is several years since he was last so happy on the pitch, but Oxford United’s top-scorer believes it is too early to talk about a new contract.

The Scot has been a pivotal player this season, taking his tally for the campaign to nine goals with a superb free-kick against Southend United on Tuesday night.

U’s chairman Darryl Eales told the Oxford Mail in October that of all the players whose contracts expire at the end of the season, Maguire was one of the key names to be offered new terms.

Without an extension, other clubs could approach the forward, who won two caps for Scotland earlier in his career, with a view to a move at the end of the season.

Maguire kept United waiting for two months last summer before putting pen to paper and the 27-year-old is again in no rush.

“To me, it’s still early days,” he said.

“You see people talking about contracts and it’s a distraction – on and off the pitch.

“At the moment I’m contracted here until the summer and enjoying my football.

“I think everybody can see that and I’d like to keep that going as long as I can.

“If the chairman wants to come and speak to me I’ll obviously talk with him. But at the moment it’s not my main objective – that’s keep playing well, score goals and see where this team can go.”

Maguire will be aiming to reach double figures for the campaign when the U’s host Oldham Athletic in Sky Bet League One tomorrow.

The last time he achieved the feat was in the 2013/14 season, which was also the last time he felt so content as a player.

He said: “It was back when I was at Sheffield Wednesday playing week-in, week-out and being their top-scorer.

“As long as I’m playing well, the goals are coming and the team’s doing well I’ll be happy.

“When I was at Wednesday the manager was Stuart Gray, who was assistant to the manager here (Michael Appleton) at Portsmouth.

“I got on really well with him and he trusted me to go out and play. It’s the same here.

“As long as you have that backing then it’s up to you to take care of yourself on the pitch.

“At the moment I feel like I’m doing that.”

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