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Star commits to new deal
Southampton, 10:36, September 18, 2008 ,
Striker David McGoldrick has vowed to lead Southampton back into the Premiership after signing a new three-year contract at St.Mary's.
There has been speculation over McGoldrick's future in recent weeks but the striker has now pledged his long-term future to the club by signing a new deal that will keep him with Saints until June 2011.
The 20-year-old, who has been with the club for the last four years, has made 32 first-team appearances for Saints and has now set his sights on helping the south coast club regain their place in the top flight.
McGoldrick told the club's website: "It's great for me to have a future here. It's a good time for me at the moment, because I'm playing and I didn't want to stop that, so I've signed an extension and I'm delighted.
"Three years seems a long time away now, but in football the games come thick and fast and before you know it you're into the next season.
"My future's going to be bright with Southampton. It's a massive club. We should be in the Premiership and we're all aiming to get back there."
Meanwhile, Saints climbed off the bottom of the Championship with a 2-2 draw against Ipswich on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Andrew Surman and on-loan Tottenham striker Tomas Pekhart.
Surman put Southampton in front but they needed a late equaliser from substitute Pekhart, the Czech star's first goal for the club, to earn a share of the points and coach Jan Poortvliet was happy with a point at the final whistle.
"I have to be happy that we gained a point," Poortvliet said. "I cannot understand it in many ways because we started so well, but as soon as Ipswich equalised we lost our belief and confidence.
"At one stage I thought the spirit had gone and we needed a lift. That is why I made three substitutions early in the second half.
"Pekhart worked hard for his goal and I am happy for him. His goal gave us some confidence and we were able to go on and get a draw, which we have needed."