da lvbet： As reported by The Daily Mail, Sunderland are closing in on a deal for former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady to make the permanent switch from Everton. The paper reckons that while the talks are advanced, they aren’t yet complete.
da bet nacional： For us that leaves an opportunity for Celtic themselves to do a major bit of business this summer in an area of the pitch they badly need reinforcements.
Aiden McGeady left the Hoops in 2010 at the age of 24. Now 31, he’s had a long and storied career with both highs and lows. It’s time to bring him home to Celtic Park.
Often returning to a place where you were once successful doesn’t work out, but surrounded by the talent Brendan Rodgers currently has at his disposal, McGeady could be the experience wise head that the Hoops need to progress even further next season.
Here are THREE reasons why Celtic should make a last ditch move to hijack Sunderland’s bid…
He was the club’s best player before he left
Aiden McGeady was a sensation at Celtic Park before he eventually left in a surprise transfer to Spartak Moscow in 2010 for a then record incoming fee at the club.
Season 2009/2010 is one that most Celtic fans will want to forget but McGeady was by far the most talented player left at the club last summer and although his departure funded Neil Lennon’s signing spree that year, he was a big loss to the Hoops.
McGeady won the club’s Young Player Of The Year award three years running from 2005 to 2007 before winning Player Of The Year at the club in 2008 and 2010.
He won seven major honours with the team and played a vital part in almost every one, making over 252 appearances in all competitions.
In Europe too he excelled, often bringing Hoops fans to their feet in vital home matches against the best the continent had to offer.
You don’t lose the kind of natural ability McGeady has and a return to the Hoops could see him find the best form of his career once again.
He still has plenty to offer
Aiden McGeady’s form doesn’t lie in the distant past though. He became a very popular player at Preston North End last season, on loan from Everton, helping them to an 11th place finish in the English Championship above the likes of Cardiff City and Aston Villa.
In fact he was the club’s Player Of The Year there too, echoing the seasons of success at Celtic Park. He scored 8 goals across the season, his highest return since 2007/2008. When he’s happy and getting regular football, he’s a terrific player to have.
For us, he’s too good to be playing English Championship football. He deserves to be in a side chasing trophies and European football and making 60,000 people happy every single week.
If he was in the doldrums we wouldn’t suggest Celtic move for him but given the season he’s just had, he deserves a chance to show what he can do at the Hoops again.
Celtic need options in wide areas
Aiden McGeady just also so happens to play in a position that Celtic need options in. With the departure of Patrick Roberts back to Manchester City, the Hoops aren’t exactly blessed with depth on the left or right flanks, two positions McGeady can play in effectively.
There’s Scott Sinclair who is undroppable right now but after that there’s only Jonny Hayes, James Forrest and Gary Mackay-Steven. We reckon McGeady is a level above all of those players.
His prowess through the middle is also without question and given Tom Rogic has fitness issues of his own, McGeady could also perform in that number 10 role behind Moussa Dembele or Leigh Griffiths.
It’s a move that makes sense for plenty of reasons and while Sunderland are seemingly eager to get the deal done this week according to The Daily Mail, there’s still time for Celtic to make their interest known.