[5] He initially had to bide his time as fellow Scottish forwards Billy Dickson and Tommy Hyslop were established in the first team.

[5] During that period he took part in the annual Home Scots v Anglo-Scots international trial on four occasions,[11][12] and having scored in the March 1898 fixture[13] he was selected to play for Scotland against England two weeks later in what would be his only full cap.

[14] Maxwell was not a typical 1890s inside-forward as most relied on strength and power, he instead used his pace to sprint away from defenders and most of his goals came in one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper.

[5] Maxwell received a two-week suspension during with time he played in a benefit match for Sheffield United's Arthur Watson.

[5] His final move of his career took him to Bristol City where he enjoyed great success, scoring 27 goals in 1905–06 as the Robins won the Second Division title.