celticV3
01/01/2009, 8:43 PM
How do people feel about this?
More Irish-based players will move to Scotland as football comes to terms with the credit crunch, according to a top football agent.
Northern Ireland's Gerry Carlile said Derry City winger Niall McGinn's move to Celtic was a sign of things to come.
"I'd be very surprised if all the SPL clubs didn't dip their toe in to the Irish market," Carlile said.
"Clubs are looking for a bargain and they know they can pick up good players relatively cheap in Ireland."
Scottish Premier League strugglers Motherwell are tracking Linfield goalkeeper Alan Mannus, who is available on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.
And First Division outfit St Johnstone benefitted this week from the financial problems afflicting the Eircom Premier League by picking up central defender Graham Gartland after he left Drogheda United under freedom of contract.
Carlile, who represents a number of Northern Ireland internationals, including McGinn, said a growing number of Scottish clubs were casting covetous eyes towards the Irish leagues.
I would be surprised if other Irish players do not make the journey over, starting in January
Football agent Gerry Carlile
"I have spoken to several SPL managers and they know that they will get decent players who have played at a decent level," he said.
"They have a good work ethic and they can settle in easily enough.
"If you look through the SPL, it might surprise you just how many Irish players are already playing at the moment.
"We know Rangers have Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty, who cost big money from English clubs.
"But Niall has joined Paddy McCourt at Celtic, Kilmarnock have also brought Conor Sammon over from Derry City and Aberdeen have Sammy Stewart, who is only 17 but is a great talent.
Carlile added: "Hamilton have David Elebert, who is a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.
"Warren Feeney, Willo Flood, Sean Dillon and Jon Daly are at Dundee United, Stephen Craigan is at Motherwell and Dean Shiels is at Hibs.
"I would be surprised if other Irish players do not make the journey over, starting in January.
"The standard of football has improved in both leagues over here, north and south, there is no doubt about it."
Carlile added that McGinn's move to Celtic would inspire other Irish-based players to follow him to Scottish football.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7806490.stm
More Irish-based players will move to Scotland as football comes to terms with the credit crunch, according to a top football agent.
Northern Ireland's Gerry Carlile said Derry City winger Niall McGinn's move to Celtic was a sign of things to come.
"I'd be very surprised if all the SPL clubs didn't dip their toe in to the Irish market," Carlile said.
"Clubs are looking for a bargain and they know they can pick up good players relatively cheap in Ireland."
Scottish Premier League strugglers Motherwell are tracking Linfield goalkeeper Alan Mannus, who is available on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.
And First Division outfit St Johnstone benefitted this week from the financial problems afflicting the Eircom Premier League by picking up central defender Graham Gartland after he left Drogheda United under freedom of contract.
Carlile, who represents a number of Northern Ireland internationals, including McGinn, said a growing number of Scottish clubs were casting covetous eyes towards the Irish leagues.
I would be surprised if other Irish players do not make the journey over, starting in January
Football agent Gerry Carlile
"I have spoken to several SPL managers and they know that they will get decent players who have played at a decent level," he said.
"They have a good work ethic and they can settle in easily enough.
"If you look through the SPL, it might surprise you just how many Irish players are already playing at the moment.
"We know Rangers have Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty, who cost big money from English clubs.
"But Niall has joined Paddy McCourt at Celtic, Kilmarnock have also brought Conor Sammon over from Derry City and Aberdeen have Sammy Stewart, who is only 17 but is a great talent.
Carlile added: "Hamilton have David Elebert, who is a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.
"Warren Feeney, Willo Flood, Sean Dillon and Jon Daly are at Dundee United, Stephen Craigan is at Motherwell and Dean Shiels is at Hibs.
"I would be surprised if other Irish players do not make the journey over, starting in January.
"The standard of football has improved in both leagues over here, north and south, there is no doubt about it."
Carlile added that McGinn's move to Celtic would inspire other Irish-based players to follow him to Scottish football.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7806490.stm