Sheffield Wednesday v Macclesfield: If our attitude’s right, we will win – Maguire

The Conference side held Championship Owls to a 1-1 draw 10 days ago to earn tonight’s Hillsborough third-round replay.

Steve Williams cancelled out Reda Johnson’s first-half header at Moss Rose – Macclesfield have not played since that game – but with Wednesday flying high after a 6-0 rout of Leeds United at the weekend, Scottish international Maguire has warned against complacency.

“The replay is now at our place, a bigger pitch and better surface,” said Maguire, enjoying a new lease of life under caretaker manager Stuart Gray. “After the Leeds result we are confident ahead of the game. We want a good Cup run.

“This is the FA Cup, anything can happen. You see it every year that smaller teams go out and perform against bigger clubs, because that game is their Cup ‘final’.

“They will want to go out and impress, but if we go out and show the attitude we have had in recent weeks, no disrespect to Macclesfield, but we will win the game.”

Striker Maguire, who netted against Leeds, was frozen out by previous boss Dave Jones. The 24-year-old Scotsman is thrilled to be back in the side following a loan spell at Coventry, even though playing wide midfield.

“The main thing I like is I am being selected from the start,” he said. “Stuart has given me that faith to get on the ball when I can and try to make things happen. I am enjoying playing. I am a striker, but if I am asked to play wide I will do it.

“I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t get a chance (under Jones). Only Dave Jones can answer that .

“I was always ready if I was given an opportunity, it just never seemed to happen.

“I only played a couple of games (at Coventry), but it was first-team football rather than turning up on Saturday and sitting in the stands.

“It helped me to get some confidence, I scored a couple of goals.”

Players like Maguire, Kieran Lee, Liam Palmer, Jose Semedo and Jacques Maghoma have impressed after runs in the first team under Gray.

“You look at the team that started on Saturday, a lot of the boys weren’t near the squad at the start of the season. It’s funny how football changes. Everybody who has been playing in the last few weeks has taken their opportunity.”

Last six games: Sheff Wed LDDWDW, Macclesfield LWWWWD.

Last time: Sheff Wed 3 Macclesfield Town 1; January 30, 1976; FA Cup.

Referee: N MIller (C Durham).