Harrogate Town new boy Ciaran McGuckin 'fitter' and 'hungrier' following Rotherham United exit

The 22-year-old striker becomes the Sulphurites’ third new signing of the summer, following midfielders Bailey Hobson and Will McGowan into Wetherby Road after his release by the Millers.

Handed a senior debut back in 2021, the Northern Ireland Under-21 international would only play another 13 times for his boyhood club during the four seasons that followed, with the vast majority of those appearances brief cameos from the substitutes’ bench.

But, having fared well enough out on loan with Scarborough in National League North and then Yeovil in the National League, McGuckin earned himself a contract extension last summer.

And, having impressed with a couple of goals on loan at fifth-tier Eastleigh at the start of 2025/26, he was in line to be recalled by then-Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw in January.

That was until the Pontefract-born youngster suffered a season-ending knee injury at Carlisle last November and had to return to South Yorkshire for surgery.

However, having worked his way back to fitness, McGuckin believes he is ready to grasp with both hands the opportunity to prove himself by playing regular football.

“I’m really happy to be here,” he said. “The gaffer has outlined everything about the club and why my profile is a good fit.

“I’m really grateful for my time at Rotherham, they brought me in as a youngster and made me the man I am today, but I’m fitter, hungrier and ready to go now.

“The most important thing for me now is to be playing regularly and showing people what I’m about, how I can excite fans and change games of football.”

McGuckin left Rotherham having played three times in the Championship, six times in League One and in five cup matches.

He scored five goals in 24 National League North games for Scarborough in 2022/23, then contributed four goals and four assists in 26 National League outings for Yeovil during the 2024/25 campaign.

Those loans came either side of a brief spell in the League of Ireland Premier Division at Dundalk, with his most recent move taking him to Eastleigh last term, where he netted twice in five fifth-tier appearances before that injury blow.

Speaking back in December, Millers chief Hamshaw told the Rotherham Advertiser: “We were obviously following him really closely with an eye on potentially getting him back here in January.

“All his data was coming back really good, and I know he was happy getting minutes under his belt. His injury was out of our control.”

Addressing McGuckin’s lack of first-team minutes at the start of last season, Hamshaw explained: “I say to all the players, the ball is in their court.

“I don't have to pick anybody. They train well, they play well, then I select who's doing it.

“I'm not saying that Ciaran isn't doing it, but Ciaran needs to do more. He's got to be more confident on the ball.

“I don't see him as a young development player now, I see him as a first-team footballer.”

McGuckin’s arrival at Harrogate comes after the club were relegated out of League Two as the lowest scorers in the division, prompting manager Simon Weaver to prioritise “goals and excitement” during the summer transfer window.

On what type of player Town have landed in McGuckin for what they hope will be a National League promotion push, Head of Player Recruitment Lloyd Kerry said: “He’s a young, hungry lad and one we think can really develop here.

“We want to be an energetic team and he brings high energy, presses well and leaves everything out on the pitch.”