Exclusive: Cameron Brannagan Dreams of Leading Oxford United to the Premier League

Oxford United star Cameron Brannagan wants to complete his storied journey with the club by one day securing a dream return to the Premier League. 

The ambitious central midfielder has played a pivotal part in the U’s long road to the second tier, where they are plying their trade for the first time this century.

Former Liverpool youngster Brannagan enjoyed a brief taste of life as a Premier League footballer at the start of his fledgling career and is using Ipswich Town’s remarkable rise to the promised land as inspiration for the club’s next step. 

“As crazy as it sounds I do want to push for the top,” Brannagan told SportsBoom.com. 

“I know our ambitions as a club and that’s the way we’ve got to be. We’ve got to be looking up, not down.”

“For me, the focus now is trying to push as far as we can this season and see where we get and next season hopefully try and go one further than we can.“

“We’re a very knitted group. I said it after the play-off final that we can look at Ipswich and what they’ve achieved. They’ve kept the same group together."

“It was very difficult over the years. The biggest one was the final at Wembley when we lost to Wycombe. How I am as an individual you’re always going to have upsets and it’s about how you react and bounce back."

“There were many a time when we got knocked back. We got beat in the semis, a final. We had that attitude that one day it would happen and always believing in that.”

“A lot of hard work went in over the years. It was a great achievement for the club after it being so long.”

“It was a special feeling. It was bittersweet because we’d lost there before. There was a lot of relief because it was something that we dreamed of for years.”

“It was something that I really wanted to do with the club. To get that moment was amazing. There was no better feeling. My whole family were there and friends. That will never be forgotten about in my life.”

OXFORD THE ONLY CLUB FOR ME

Brannagan, 28, was among the crestfallen group which suffered Wembley heartache in the play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers in 2020 before losing in the semi-finals to Blackpool the following year.

In 2022 the club agonisingly missed out on the play-offs at the backend of the season before returning to Wembley to banish the ghosts of play-off past by beating Bolton Wanderers last May.

It is well documented that Blackpool wanted to secure Brannagan’s services in the summer of 2022, but his loyalties to Oxford saw him extend his contract at the club instead.

“Everybody knew what went on with Blackpool, I had numerous offers there,” added Brannagan. 

“There was something real deep down that I felt I really wanted to be at this club and I really wanted to get to the next level with this club.”

“That was going through my head and I just couldn’t leave this club without trying to help them get to where we wanted to be.”

“It was something killing me inside where I couldn’t have left in a million years. It was something I really wanted to do and thankfully I did it.”

INJURY WOES COULD HAVE ENDED SEASON

After years of grinding away to get to the Championship, U's ace Brannagan was sidelined for over two months after he suffered a frustrating knee injury, which initially looked like it could end his season prematurely.

That coincided with a tough time away from the game and Brannagan is delighted to be back doing what he loves best.

“It was frustrating,” admitted the midfielder. 

“I had the struggle with my knee and did my MCL, I was millimetres from surgery. I was really cautious coming back.”

“There were also a few things that went on personally, which I’d rather not get into, off the pitch as well. It was quite a tough few months. I’ve been through a lot in my life and been in some tough situations so it was about keeping my head and getting myself back to where I want to be and helping the team as much as possible.”

“That obviously comes with having a strong family off the pitch as well and people supporting you.”

“I have to thank the physios and even the lads because even when you’re away from it they’re still there supporting you.”

“It’s a great club to be at and when you’re down in the dumps, you want to be playing but you can’t for certain reasons when you’re involved, everyone’s around you."

"It was difficult, but I’ve bounced back and just happy to be playing again.”