A RELIEVED Chris Maguire turned down offers from higher-league clubs to rejoin Oxford United’s promotion push.

Head coach Michael Appleton made no secret of his desire to sign the Rotherham United forward in the January transfer window.

But United were not alone, with Sky Bet Championship and League One clubs also showing interest.

Having spent a successful loan spell at the U’s earlier in the season, there was only one option for Maguire.

He left the Millers by mutual consent on Monday to rejoin the U’s until the end of the season, and is now looking to hit the ground running.

“I had a few offers (from higher league clubs),” he revealed.

“I said to my agent at the time that I have already been here and there was a good chance of promotion.

“I have turned offers down and we will see what happens in the summer, but my main focus right now is to help Oxford.”

He added: “I have come here to kick on and hopefully you will see the net bulging more as well.”

Just under three weeks has passed since the Scot’s loan period with the U’s ended.

And with the 27-year-old made to train with the youth team on his return to Rotherham, the forward is chomping at the bit to get going.

He admitted it had been a testing few weeks.

“You go back and you know game time is going to be limited,” he said.

“I ended up training with the kids so that was obviously frustrating, but I am just happy to put that behind me, look forward and get started at the weekend again.”

Maguire added: “It can knock your confidence, but I rose above it.

“I went in and worked hard, tried to help the kids and enjoy it because if you beat yourself up about it then you only get mad with yourself.”

Maguire, whose registration was not completed in time for Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area final second leg, has been keeping a close eye on United since being away.

And after the U’s beat Millwall 2-1 on aggregate to reach Wembley, the forward is ready to fight his way back into the team and help United build on third place in Sky Bet League Two.

He said: “It’s exciting.

“Not many people have a bit of silverware at the end of their careers.

“It is a great opportunity to get promotion here and play at Wembley.”