Jamie McGrath M Aberdeen b.1996

[Jd2793]

level in PL is far too high for him. hes been excellent in scotland since moving but the leap from a bottom 6 spl side to a bottom 6 PL side is huge. better off establishing himself in the championship as a first team regular at his age, coming into his peak years now.

[JR89]

There's more chance of him playing League One next season than the Premier League.

[ontheotherhand]

Still not sure on McGrath to be honest. He hasn't done anything wrong for Ireland but he also hasn't really done....anything much at all. Positionally sound and shows a glimpse or two of potential but I think people are looking at his SPL goals from last season and seeing something that isn't quite there yet. I like attacking players who want to get on the ball and he seems like the type that does the standard runs and can play it simple rather than someone who has the potential to open a team up with a pass or by running at them. 7 from play last year is a good return in the SPL but it turns into a magnificent haul when you add in his penalties. He came in with 0 expectations on him and has sort of flown under the radar a bit because of that maybe.

Hope he kicks on but I would think League 1 or Championship would be a more likely destination than the EPL. Celtic or Rangers surely would be after him if he was really lighting up the SPL week in week out?

[Demesne Lad]

There's more chance of him playing League One next season than the Premier League.

I'm inclined to agree. Daryl Horgan wasn't kept at Preston NE, did fairly well at Hibs and initially at Wycombe, but is now a squad member for the League One leaders rather than a regular starter. Sheffield Wed or Ipswich might be a more realistic bet for McGrath.

[Olé Olé]

I'm inclined to agree. Daryl Horgan wasn't kept at Preston NE, did fairly well at Hibs and initially at Wycombe, but is now a squad member for the League One leaders rather than a regular starter. Sheffield Wed or Ipswich might be a more realistic bet for McGrath.

Well, if you're using Horgan to support your agreement then what of the fact that McGrath has looked much better at international level than Horgan. He has also done far better at SPL level than Horgan - I think "fairly well" is a stretch in that regard for Horgan. Oh, and Horgan went directly from Dundalk to Championship as opposed to from Dundalk to the SPL and then, potentially, onto Championship like McGrath seems to be angling to do. Surely you should account for that in your comparison?

[Diggs246]

There's more chance of him playing League One next season than the Premier League.

Its just a sneeky feeling. Club's with budgets issues and a need for extra squad members

[Demesne Lad]

Well, if you're using Horgan to support your agreement then what of the fact that McGrath has looked much better at international level than Horgan. He has also done far better at SPL level than Horgan - I think "fairly well" is a stretch in that regard for Horgan. Oh, and Horgan went directly from Dundalk to Championship as opposed to from Dundalk to the SPL and then, potentially, onto Championship like McGrath seems to be angling to do. Surely you should account for that in your comparison?
I think the jury is still out on McGrath as an international, though time is on his side. He is a more centre-field player than Horgan and this is reflected in their respective records in the Scottish Premiership. Horgan: 3,405 minutes played, 6 goals, 10 assists; McGrath: 4,330 mins, 9 goals (incl. 7 penalties), 3 assists.

The Dundalk to EFL Championship to Scottish Premiership route didn't work out so well for Andy Boyle either. If McGrath does make it to the EFL Championship, I hope he has more success there.

[Demesne Lad]

McGrath wasn't included in the St Mirren squad at Dundee Utd on Tuesday night. Official reason was because he "did not feel that his head was in the right place for the game" as a result of all the recent transfer speculation.

[seanfhear]

McGrath wasn't included in the St Mirren squad at Dundee Utd on Tuesday night. Official reason was because he "did not feel that his head was in the right place for the game" as a result of all the recent transfer speculation.
Probably both he and the Club not wanting to risk an injury that might scupper a move and money for the club.

[Trequartista20]

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19863758.jim-goodwin-fears-st-mirren-midfielder-jamie-mcgrath-badly-advised/?ref=rss

Goodwin suggests that McGrath's head wasn't in the right place to play, and that he's being badly advised.

He should have made the sensible and progressive move to Aberdeen in my view, who are a big club in a Scottish context, where he would have been a virtually guaranteed regular and could have learnt from playing beside and training with great pros like Scott Brown. Instead it looks like he's having his head turned by the big bucks offered down south, which is perhaps understandable.

Would he even break into a Championship side before the end of the season though? Even were he to join Wigan, who have a settled, winning side he might well struggle. Jordan Jones can't get into the team since joining from Rangers, for example.

He might end up staying at St Mirren after all this.

[Diggs246]

He is too good for Scotland
His agent is right. This is his big move. The salaries are not comparable between England and Scotland.

[Demesne Lad]

Not in the squad playing away at Ayr today. Looks like the Buddies are resigned to losing their prize asset.

[seanfhear]

Not in the squad playing away at Ayr today. Looks like the Buddies are resigned to losing their prize asset.
I wonder where he is going ?

[Demesne Lad]

Restored to the team for tonight's game with Aberdeen, after a 'clear the air' meeting with manager Goodwin.

[third policeman]

Restored to the team for tonight's game with Aberdeen, after a 'clear the air' meeting with manager Goodwin.

Ronan just scored a ‘sumptuous’ goal.

[Trequartista20]

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/renfrewshire/jamie-mcgrath-transfer-latest-birmingham-26057932

Birmingham have apparently lost interest in McGrath and his options seem to be narrowing.

He might have to see out of contract, try and find his best form again and hope some attractive offers come his way in the summer as a free agent.

[Trequartista20]

Seems to be close to joining Hibs with a bid reportedly having been accepted.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/jamie-mcgrath-set-hibs-transfer-26089399

[joey B]

Off to Wigan according to James Rodgers

https://mobile.twitter.com/jamesrogersie/status/1488254934546059270

[irishfan86]

Not a bad move. He’ll play right away and if everything goes to plan he’ll be in the Championship next season.

[Trequartista20]

He mst have negotiated a greatly increased wage with this move. I don't think he was a lot at St Mirren.

Let's hope he can force his way into the team between now and the end of the season.

Four Irish lads at Wigan now after Rea joining on loan.

[seanfhear]

He mst have negotiated a greatly increased wage with this move. I don't think he was a lot at St Mirren.

Let's hope he can force his way into the team between now and the end of the season.

Four Irish lads at Wigan now after Rea joining on loan.
Good luck to the Lad re; the money ~ It can be a short career for all sorts of reasons. This could turn out to be a good move for him if Wigan go up. Best of luck.

[pineapple stu]

Straight into the side today anyway, getting 90 minutes in a 2-0 Cup defeat away to Stoke. Cup line-ups are always a bit of a mixed bag, but I think it's very encouraging that he's getting first-team action straight away. That mightn't have happened a division up.

[JR89]

Keane and McClean are injured so should see game time. McClean has been taking injections to get him through games the Richardson said.

[Demesne Lad]

Doesn't seem to be valued by Wigan. Jim Goodwin's Aberdeen now facing competition from Dundee Utd for McGrath's services (The Press and Journal, 21 June).

[Eirambler]

I thought we were weakened by not having had him in the squad this month. It would have been useful to have had him to come on for Knight for the last half hour in Poland, for instance.

Wigan may not fancy him for whatever reason but he plays that midfield/forward link position well - he's not as good as Knight but still of benefit as a squad member.

Knight can't play 90 minutes of every game and Hourihane is a different kind of player that doesn't suit that role. McGrath is a better fit for the position.

[passinginterest]

McGrath has to have been one of those classic "chairman" signings, where they fancied him but the manager didn't. Never got a sniff of a chance and the move was a complete waste of time. Hopefully gets a decent move now and regular playing time, he certainly offers something a bit different when in the squad and was a solid performer in the games he played.

[Olé Olé]

Would it be a bit of a pity if he moves back to Scotland? He turns 26 in September and will he get another chance at a level better than SPL if he moves back? Very conscious that he has to leave Wigan. It doesn't seem like he's fancied there. Which is interesting. If he never fit the style or formation he shouldn't have been signed. He's shown for Ireland that he's at least League One level (at least) when he jumps into international level. So what's the missing piece in terms of his second half of the season there?

His options may be limited though.

[JR89]

Looks to be on his way back to Scotland to spend the season with Dundee United.

[samhaydenjr]

Good start - setting up the only goal in United's Conference League tie with AZ Alkmaar two minutes after coming on: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62378461

[Demesne Lad]

Scored from inside the box against Kilmarnock tonight.

[SkStu]

Scored from inside the box against Kilmarnock tonight.

Wow. I feel like i was there! ;)

[ontheotherhand]

Sounds like the Puskas is wrapped up anyway.

[Diggs246]

Wow. I feel like i was there! ;)
Genius!

[Demesne Lad]

McGrath will be staying at Tannadice for the rest of the season. (There had been some speculation that he would be recalled by Wigan, second from bottom in the EFL Championship.) Dundee Utd manager Liam Fox describes him as "outstanding". "I call him low maintenance, high-output and you can't have too many players like Jamie in your squad."

[Demesne Lad]

Now back in full training, after a calf injury. (Dundee Courier, 11 Jan)

[Demesne Lad]

Some of the usual suspects (The 72, The Realefl, etc) quoting soccer writer Alan Nixon's claim that Hibernian and Fleetwood are interested in McGrath, whose loan club Dundee Utd look likely to be relegated, and whose parent club Wigan are also deep in relegation trouble.

[third policeman]

I wonder how low his club career has to descend before other midfield options become tempting for Kenny. There's loyalty and there's blind stubbornness.

[Razors left peg]

I wonder how low his club career has to descend before other midfield options become tempting for Kenny. There's loyalty and there's blind stubbornness.

In fairness he didnt get on the pitch in the 2 recent games and Smallbone you would think has stepped in front of him

[third policeman]

True, but if he's not going to play, his inclusion is even more pointless. Hopefully Connell or Azaz or Hodge will get consideration in due course.

[Razors left peg]

True, but if he's not going to play, his inclusion is even more pointless. Hopefully Connell or Azaz or Hodge will get consideration in due course.

In due course yes, Connell hopefully will be in the Championship next season, Hodge needs games somewhere and Azaz even though I like him has been a sub quite a bit for Plymouth, including this weekend when they were playing in the EFL Trophy Final. Theres also Conor Coventry who has been playing in the Championship.

Im not a fan by any means of McGrath but we dont have the competition for places in midfield that we do at the back and are increasing getting in the forwards. I dont think in this squad any midfield player was harshly left out in favor of McGrath. In the next year or 2 hopefully we can leave the likes of McGrath and Hendrick out because other players make it impossible for Kenny to ignore them.

[Demesne Lad]

Scored (from play) against Livingston today - the Tangerines clawing their way off the bottom of the SPL!

[Olé Olé]

Scored (from play) against Livingston today - the Tangerines clawing their way off the bottom of the SPL!

He has scored in his last three games. All wins. And they won the first two by 1 and the third, today, by two but he got the first goal in a 2-0 win.

[Stuttgart88]

Scored (from play) against Livingston today - the Tangerines clawing their way off the bottom of the SPL!Crazy how Jim Goodwin appeared hapless at Aberdeen (see BBC article in the Liam Scales thread) but has managed to get a good reaction at Dundee United.

[pineapple stu]

Seems to do well with Alloa and St Mirren too.

Good to see him bounce back, but Aberdeen's recent record shows - for whatever reason - that he wasn't the right man there. Football can be weird like that I guess.

[Stuttgart88]

You need to be the right man at the right club at the right time.

[Demesne Lad]

He has scored in his last three games. All wins. And they won the first two by 1 and the third, today, by two but he got the first goal in a 2-0 win.
Jim Goodwin had had a word with McGrath in private, telling him that he needed to score more often from play. McGrath was not fully fit to start on Saturday but scored and then limped off after 30 minutes.

[Demesne Lad]

McGrath returns to Wigan Athletic as his loan ends, but is uncertain about his future. " I am not too sure what’s on the horizon for me. Obviously, I didn’t envisage what has happened here this season so I have been trying to get over that in the last few days. Whatever happens in the summer happens, I’ve not really thought about it......I’ll take a few weeks off and then see what’s happening.” (Football Scotland, 30 May). Sounds like he doesn't expect to be called up by Stephen Kenny next month.

McGrath is very supportive of Jim Goodwin, despite Dundee Utd's relegation. But perhaps Shaun Maloney will judge McGrath worth a place in an EFL 1 squad, whereas Leam Richardson didn't think that McGrath was of EFL Championship standard.

[Eirambler]

It will be a long hard season in League 1 for Wigan if they persist with Maloney.

[joey B]

Contract terminated by Wigan today....

[JR89]

Technically he terminated his contract rather than the other way around.