Striker Graham Burke signed for Preston from Shamrock Rovers joining a number of former League of Ireland players at Deepdale with the jury still out on this type of recruitment.
Whilst any outlay will be minimal and therefore the risk is low some fans appear to cast a critical eye whenever Preston sign a player from across the Irish Sea.
In recent times the signings have been hit and miss. Maguire has been the most positive signing scoring a number of crucial goals for North End and expectation will rise next season.
Horgan has been hit and miss. At times last season he was frozen out although others were performing well ahead of him. Doyle and O'Connor have shown the poor end of the scale with both showing they are out of depth at the Championship level.
Burke will have to perform well to break into the side with Preston playing one striker. He is likely going to be competing with Simpson for a place on the bench behind the main strikers.