Oxford United captain Brannagan hurt after Championship exit

Matt Bloomfield’s side lost 2-0 at The Den thanks to a Femi Azeez double, U’s captain Brannagan beaten by the winger for the opening goal.

It was Oxford’s final Championship fixture before returning to League One after two years in the second tier with relegation confirmed before their win over Sheffield Wednesday last week.

Brannagan was named club captain last September, taking over from the departing Elliott Moore, and was a key member of the League One promotion-winning Yellows side of 2023/24.

“I thought they were very good,” the 29-year-old said regarding opponents Millwall.

“Didn’t think we were great. Obviously they had a lot to for and it’s a tough place to come. I thought they kept the ball very well and I don’t think we laid a glove on them, to be honest. That’s the frustrating part. It’s all about looking forward to next season.

Millwall’s Casper de Norre (centre) and Oxford United’s Cameron Brannagan (right) battle for the ball (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

“We want to bounce back. The frustration is massive at this moment in time. It hurts a lot; it has done now since the day we found out.

“I think we have to get ourselves ready this summer because it’s going to be a really tough season next season. We want to bounce back and get back in this league.”

Oxford have a big squad to deal with in the summer, with players coming and going after loan moves, some out of contract, and others whom the club will surely be receiving offers for.

“There will be people come and go, obviously loan players go back as well to their clubs. It’ll be full focus on pre season once we get in from the first day and we’ve got to get it right because we want to get back to where this club should be in this league.”

READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield hints at summer changes

READ MORE: Oxford United ‘showed character’ in defeat at Millwall

READ MORE: Oxford United beaten 2-0 by Millwall to end Championship stay

The U’s will return to the third tier of English football for the 2026/27 season where they spent eight years competing before winning promotion two years ago.

“We’re going to need big characters all season. We played in League One for a long time and it’s not an easy league. It’s something that we’ve got to be prepared for come pre season. From day one, we have to have that aim to try and get back to where we want to be and that’s here.”

A standout and leader for the majority of his eight years at the club, Brannagan could be one who garners interest from elsewhere this summer.

“I’m under contract so it will be full focus in pre season. We want to improve, we want to be better.”