CAMERON Brannagan had extra reason to celebrate getting on the scoresheet against Charlton Athletic, that showed by his outpouring of emotion when he netted Oxford United’s second of the afternoon.

Not only did the Kassam Stadium see the return of supporters, but a friend of the midfielder’s was involved in a cycling crash just a few days earlier.

Brannagan told his friend he would score for him – and he did just that, netting just after the half hour mark.

See also: Our ratings for Oxford United’s win against Charlton

“It was a great moment for me and the boys, we wanted to get off to a winning start at home and I’m glad we did that,” said the former Liverpool man.

“That goal meant a lot to me personally because I had a mate who had a bad smash the other day.

“I spoke to him before the game and said to him: I’m going to score for you.

“For me to get that goal meant a lot and you could see by the celebration how much it meant.

“I’m like that anyway when I score but that was extra special.”

With Alex Gorrin sitting in the deeper midfield role, Brannagan was able to push further forward, something he admitted he prefers to do.

Read again: Oxford United beat Charlton 2-1 in front of returning fans

“I can’t stress enough how much I enjoy playing higher up,” he said.

“I understand sometimes I have to do the job the manager wants me to do and that’s not a problem, but I know I can get goals and assists.

“Hopefully I can keep doing that now and stay higher up the pitch and get in the right areas.

“If I can player higher, I want to get double figures for goals.

“I set my standards high and work on my finishing every day and my through balls.”

The win followed the opening day draw at Cambridge United and progression in the Carabao Cup.

Brannagan said: “We said we had to start right this season, there’s been seasons where we’ve not started great and it’s cost us in the long run.”