Aiden McGeady

[livehead1]

Was at the Celtic game last night and was very impressed by McGeady's performance. He was the one and only outlet Celtic had last night. He was very comfortable on the ball, his passing was very good and it was clear that United were aware of his presence, especially in the first half. The negative side of his performance could be summed up by losing the ball on the edge of his own area; however, in his defence every time any other Celtic player touched the ball they lost it!

All in all he was very good last night and comfortably Celtic's best player. Apart from the one time he lost the ball in a dangerous situation he clearly seems to be maturing and normally chooses the right option whether to go past his man or play a simple pass. He's only gonna get better and he's a key asset for Ireland.

[geysir]

I thought Caldwell was easily the best.
McGeady did much better at Old Trafford than the last time he was there.

[Ordinary Fan]

Time for McGeady to move on from Celtic. He will never develop beyond his current level if he remains.
Trap rates him and McGeady's performances have been very consistent but needs to work with Keane and Doyle on crossing and positioning.

[geysir]

At least up to now, the evidence of his performances shows that he has improved.

I see Liverpool have spent £6m or 7m on Riera who imo looked shockingly inept on the left wing last night against Athl Madrid.

[Hibernian]

Time for McGeady to move on from Celtic. He will never develop beyond his current level if he remains.
Trap rates him and McGeady's performances have been very consistent but needs to work with Keane and Doyle on crossing and positioning.

Yes agree with your first point he needs to move out of Scotland pretty quick.

I was hoping that the rumours about himself and Strachan having a bust up would become serious and that he might go to England.

Taught he was only average the other night too

[Junior]

He's not really performed to last years high standards in the SPL this season so far, though his 3 performances for Ireland have shown improvement.

Moving to the EPL or one of the other top leagues at this stage in his career - might simply finish it. IMO he needs to prove he can do it game after game and would certainly need to do it for more than one season in Scotland (his previous seasons have been a learning curve). I simply dont want to see a Liam Miller / Shaun Maloney situation arising because he didnt hang on for a few seasons

[seanfhear]

If he did get a transfer to Aston Villa then we would find out in the following year or two how good he could be.
The time for him to move on will have arrived in january or at the end of the season.
If he can improve his ball retention I am hopefull he will become a top level performer.

[eirebhoy]

Carew said Maloney was always the best player in training. He impressed more often than not when given his chance in the first team. O'Neill still didn't really give him a run of games. He just said he was unfortunate that he had Ashley Young in his position. He still didn't want to let him go. I wouldn't want McGeady going to Villa unless O'Neill can fit him, Young and Milner into the same team. If not it'll just be a stop, start rotation policy after the amount they paid on Milner.

[seanfhear]

Carew said Maloney was always the best player in training. He impressed more often than not when given his chance in the first team. O'Neill still didn't really give him a run of games. He just said he was unfortunate that he had Ashley Young in his position. He still didn't want to let him go. I wouldn't want McGeady going to Villa unless O'Neill can fit him, Young and Milner into the same team. If not it'll just be a stop, start rotation policy after the amount they paid on Milner.
Good insight.
I wonder if Villa will be able to hold on to Young long term.Was he in the last England squad and if he was not then he should have been.

Would Liverpool or Arsenal think about Aiden!!!!!!

[Junior]

McGeady getting stick on a Celtic forum for his performance. I just don't know. He doesn't take on players too much so they're not happy. I genuinely don't remember him misplacing a single pass and that's not easy in a game like this. Considering he played the pass more than he usually would that's not bad.

I was at the game on Tuesday so have only just sat down to watch a rerun. McGeady has misplaced his first pass 3:45 in to the game.

I thought he played decent but lets not exagerate

[Razors left peg]

Good insight.
I wonder if Villa will be able to hold on to Young long term.Was he in the last England squad and if he was not then he should have been.

Would Liverpool or Arsenal think about Aiden!!!!!!

Hes better than any of Liverpools wingers

[jmurphyc]

Hes better than any of Liverpools wingers

In terms of last season's wingers, he probably was, but from what I've seen, Riera is currently a much more complete player than McGeady. If he were to go to Liverpool, he wouldn't be first choice IMO, he'd be one of the players that plays sporadically.

[geysir]

Riera was awful against Athletico and that was just one on one. McGeady would have made hay there.

[eirebhoy]

I was at the game on Tuesday so have only just sat down to watch a rerun. McGeady has misplaced his first pass 3:45 in to the game.

Yeh I watched the game again. That was after skipping by Anderson and playing a hopeful forward pass for McDonald to chase onto. I wouldn't call it a misplaced pass as much as I wouldn't call a cross a misplaced pass. If McGeady played like he did on Tuesday in a team that could dominate possession he'd be getting excellent reviews imo. He can't blamed for Man Utd dominating the game because he has to rely on his teammates giving him the ball. I was very impressed with how he was coming inside, laying the ball off, looking extremely confident and actually looking like an intelligent footballer.

I'd love to see McGeady play like he did on Tuesday more often. As Strachan said, 2 or 3 moments of magic is enough. His biggest critisism of McGeady was that he felt he had to do something magic every time he got the ball. On Tuesday McGeady kept things simple, played the simple passes and came looking to receive the pass from his teammates. He made 3 good runs inside to take a shot on goal. I thought his cross/pass from the wing to Brown on the edge of the box was terrific. A couple of years ago it would have been head down and try to beat the players. There was 2 players around him, he got his head up, saw Brown free and realised he could get the ball to him without beating the player.

He just showed that he can play an intelligent game which is why I was so impressed.

[Kingdom]

On Tuesday McGeady kept things simple, played the simple passes and came looking to receive the pass from his teammates. He made 3 good runs inside to take a shot on goal. I thought his cross/pass from the wing to Brown on the edge of the box was terrific. A couple of years ago it would have been head down and try to beat the players. There was 2 players around him, he got his head up, saw Brown free and realised he could get the ball to him without beating the player.

He just showed that he can play an intelligent game which is why I was so impressed.

Noticed that myself, nice touch of vision out of him .

[Junior]

Yeh I watched the game again. That was after skipping by Anderson and playing a hopeful forward pass for McDonald to chase onto. I wouldn't call it a misplaced pass as much as I wouldn't call a cross a misplaced pass. If McGeady played like he did on Tuesday in a team that could dominate possession he'd be getting excellent reviews imo. He can't blamed for Man Utd dominating the game because he has to rely on his teammates giving him the ball. I was very impressed with how he was coming inside, laying the ball off, looking extremely confident and actually looking like an intelligent footballer.

I'd love to see McGeady play like he did on Tuesday more often. As Strachan said, 2 or 3 moments of magic is enough. His biggest critisism of McGeady was that he felt he had to do something magic every time he got the ball. On Tuesday McGeady kept things simple, played the simple passes and came looking to receive the pass from his teammates. He made 3 good runs inside to take a shot on goal. I thought his cross/pass from the wing to Brown on the edge of the box was terrific. A couple of years ago it would have been head down and try to beat the players. There was 2 players around him, he got his head up, saw Brown free and realised he could get the ball to him without beating the player.

He just showed that he can play an intelligent game which is why I was so impressed.

First of all let me say, I do generally agree with your assessment of McGeadys performance. He was in the top 2-3 performers on the night for Celtic

However, if you wanted a job working for the government as a crime statitician - you'd have no problems;)

That was a forward pass to McDonald of about 25-30 yds that didnt come off. Admittedly there werent really any other passes on (other than backwards) but he did have 10 yds of space in front of him and could have held on to it. Lost possession/uncompleted pass in my opinion (and IMO Optas's view as well).

He did a similar thing with a pass out to Naylor on the left that went out for goal kick. It was a 30-40 yd pass but not really under any pressure. He also lost posession twice in his own half (in the first half) which led to utd shots on goal.

It was a tidy performance from McGeady but you have to be fair with the stats eirebhoy it wasnt faultless!!

[eirebhoy]

He also lost posession twice in his own half (in the first half) which led to utd shots on goal.
Which I mentioned.

Watch McGeady and in almost every game you'll see him misplace passes that he shouldn't have. After watching the match for the first time I came out of it thinking he didn't misplace a pass. After watching it again I saw those 2 passes you're talking about. He gave the ball away alright but not in the way he did twice for Ireland last week.

I think it's unfair to call those misplaced passes. Well, you're right, the one to Naylor was misplaced. It skidded off the wet surface but he meant it to go right to Naylor. But the one to McDonald wasn't a misplaced pass imo, he just hit it in space hoping he'd beat Vidic to it. The 2 for Ireland were certainly misplaced though.

I'm not posting my biased view to defend McGeady against others saying he lost possession because that's not the case. I'm saying why I was happy with his performance. I thought he played quite like Nakamura does in these games except he has the ability to beat players and produce that moment of magic. :) Jesus if he ever came close to Nakamura's ability while also having his ability to dribble and beat players he'd be a hell of a player. The only games Naka struggles in are those that Celtic are on the back foot. Celtic can be on the back foot like they were in Benfica last year and McGeady can still have a great game.

He won't lose his ability to dribble. It's time he used his brain and played more like he did on Tuesday imo because he's capable of it.

[Junior]

Aiden got a goal tonight against Killie in the CIS cup.

O'Dea played 90mins and did ok. Sheridan came on for the last 15mins and had a couple of half chances

[Pike B]

Aiden got a goal tonight against Killie in the CIS cup.


Ring Fifa and stick him on the shortlist for World Player of the Year... ;)

[eirebhoy]

McGeady was excellent tonight. Man of the match imo. As usual gave the ball away carelessly a couple of times which is why I was so impressed with him against Man Utd.

[Junior]

From the Glasgow Evening Times....

AIDEN McGEADY today admitted he is battling to regain the form that saw him scoop the double Player of the Year awards last season.

The Republic of Ireland internationalist has started 10 of Celtic's 15 games so far this season and he has acknowledged that it can be tough to find consistency when he has been in and out of the side.

His lack of form at the start of the season was in marked contrast to his displays of last season, but in recent games there has been plenty of spark about the winger's play.

He has already proved to be capable of sustaining that over the course of a campaign and an on-form McGeady will be pivotal to Celtic's chances of securing a fourth successive title.

"To be honest it's been hard to get the consistency I want because I have been in for one game, and then out the next," he said. "But obviously when I get picked I'll be doing my best to get back to the way I was playing last season."

McGeady has already offered himself to Gordon Strachan as a striker in the wake of the injuries to Celtic's forward players.

He scored against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night after an impressive link-up with Scott Brown.

And while his height may work against him when it comes to playing as an out-and-out striker he is a player who can hurt teams in the final third.

McGeady said: "We had a lot of good footballers in our team and I think that showed. Some of the football we played was excellent.

"I was just there to finish the move off," he added in reference to his goal. "It was a great move, a good team move and it was an excellent slide rule pass from Scott who has been playing extremely well this season."

[Colbert Report]

Aiden hasn't even been on the bench for at least the last two matches. He must be injured. Anyone know?

[tetsujin1979]

Aiden hasn't even been on the bench for at least the last two matches. He must be injured. Anyone know?calf strain picked up in training. could be out for a few weeks: http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2466578.0.Boruc_could_be_fit_to_face_A alborg_in_crucial_tie_League.php

[Strachan] revealed he didn't expect Aiden McGeady to be available for selection again for several weeks.

"He's got a grade one calf strain which is the best you can hope for. He will be a couple of weeks. The injuries are just one of these things. There's nothing I can do about it. That's why I never go into the treatment room. It's a waste of time; if they're not there, they're not there."

[Colbert Report]

thanks

[Junior]

McGeady attacked in nightclub from SETANTA.com

Celtic ace Aiden McGeady was subjected to sectarian abuse and attacked in a nightclub on Wednesday morning.

According to a report in the Irish Sun, the winger was punched twice in the face in an unprovoked attack.

He was reportedly set upon by three individuals in Glasgow's Karbon nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday, but did not report the incident to police.

Furthermore, Celtic have declined to comment on the matter, though a 'friend' of the Irish international said that McGeady had been "attacked without provocation.

"He's pretty distressed and upset. There were about three of them and they started dishing out some abuse - it was pretty heavy stuff."

Not sure what the hell he was doing in a nightclub on a Weds night when recuperating from injury. A few of these instances starting to crop up more frequently, its inevitable in Glasgow - so hes gonna have to be a bit smarter than average......

PS The press are also reporting that hopefully he should be back for next weeks game against Aalborg in the Champions League

[tetsujin1979]

A few of these instances starting to crop up more frequently, its inevitable in Glasgow - so hes gonna have to be a bit smarter than average......Are they cropping up more, or are they making the papers more? There's highlighted coverage of these incidents in Scotland at the moment with the treatment of Jamie McCarthy by some fans, and coverage the singing of the "famine song" is getting

[Junior]

Are they cropping up more, or are they making the papers more? Perhaps its no different and its just more tabloid coverage...either way he is still gonna have to be smarter than your average bear;) as yogi would say........

[tetsujin1979]

McGeady set to feature for Celtic against Aalborg tomorrow: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_4542099,00.html

[Junior]

Nah, Still out injured. Tendanitus (sp?) I think rather than the calf strain but not on the bench either.

[tetsujin1979]

He could be carrying the injury for a few months according to this: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/article1966292.ece

[paul_oshea]

Tendonitis, a lot of guitar players get that, are you sure reid doesnt suffer from it too?! ;)

[Junior]

Strachan revealed Aiden McGeady is struggling with a knee injury that might require surgery.

The Republic of Ireland star failed a fitness test before the match against Aalborg after missing the previous five matches.

Strachan said: "We will monitor him. Aiden gets about 20 minutes pain-free before he starts to feel pain.

"The doctor and the rest of the guys will look into that and see what the best way is to get Aiden back to full fitness."

[tetsujin1979]

McGeady linked with Boro, if Downing moves on in January: http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=hotline-mcgeady-is-winging-way-down-south&method=full&objectid=20936108&siteid=93463-name_page.html

Probably nothing in it. The quote below is just wrong, McGeady isn't out of Strachan's plans, he's injured and has been since before the United game at Celtic Park.

Southgate's spies are pushing him to sign the Republic of Ireland ace who is out of Gordon Strachan's plans and may be moved on in the New Year.

[Junior]

Hopefully this means Aiden wont be going under the surgeons knife.....


McGeady poised to return after knee scan / THE HERALD

Aiden McGeady could be fit to face Hibernian on Sunday afternoon after a scan on his right knee revealed that he will not require surgery.

The scan showed minor inflammation in his tendon rather than a tear or any other major damage and, following a period of rest, the Celtic winger will take part in training today with a view to an imminent return.

If he comes through the session unscathed, he should be available for the visit to Easter Road at the weekend. However, if the 22-year-old has an adverse reaction he will be given an injection that will allow a return to the first team after a period of seven days.

McGeady has been out with a bout of tendinitis since the start of November and has missed the club's last six games.

He travelled with the Celtic squad to Denmark last week but failed a fitness test prior to the 2-1 defeat by BK Aalborg.

Before the game, McGeady had spoken of his desire to keep playing. "I want to try to play my way through it. I spoke to Neil Lennon the Celtic first-team coach the other day and he said he had the same thing and had an operation a few years ago. It is not something I am really thinking about just now. If I can, I would rather play until the end of the season and put it back until the summer."

It is not the first time McGeady has suffered from the condition and he also had an injection last season to allow him to continue playing.

It has been a stop-start campaign for the 22-year-old, who had made significant contributions without hitting the same heights as he did last season, when he won the SPFA Player of the Year award.

"I feel as if my season hasn't really started," he reflected. "I have not had a run of games and it has been quite frustrating, with the team doing so well. I wanted to capitalise on last season and take it to another level but it hasn't really worked out that way for me."

[eirebhoy]

He's back. :) Good goal from him tonight, typical bottom corner. He's had 3 shots on goal, 1 hit the side netting after an excellent 1-2 and turn. Celtic are a joy to watch with Maloney, McGeady, Naka and Brown in the team. Such a pity you won't get to see them in Europe after tonight. :( ;)

[irishultra]

ah porto will suffice eirebhoy, but i have to say some of the moves did look nice.

[eirebhoy]

Clip of McGeady's goal:
http://www.goalvideoz.com/watch/6791-Celtic%20vs%20Villareal%202-0%20Goal%20By%20McGeady%20Dec%2010%202008/

[Superhoops]

He's back. :) Good goal from him tonight, typical bottom corner. He's had 3 shots on goal, 1 hit the side netting after an excellent 1-2 and turn. Celtic are a joy to watch with Maloney, McGeady, Naka and Brown in the team. Such a pity you won't get to see them in Europe after tonight. :( ;)

Such a pity he has never done it for us in 22 appearances.

How much longer have we got to or can we afford to wait?

[eirebhoy]

You've mainly seen the real McGeady this past 12 months for Ireland.

[Junior]

He did well tonight, as did Celtic. Though in all honestly we were allowed to play and VR were down to 10 men. If Villareal needed a result it would have been a far different game in my opinion (I dont buy that they were looking for top spot).

Regardless, it was a decent performance, McGeady got 70 minutes under his belt (Sheridan didnt feature) a bit of confidence and continue the great (Home!!) record

Nakamura was superb I thought (though obv. not Irish!)

[Superhoops]

You've mainly seen the real McGeady this past 12 months for Ireland.

Jeez, if that is the case it really is worrying.

[celticV3]

Jeez, if that is the case it really is worrying.

I think McGeady's performances have been decent of late for Ireland. He is passing well and has been involved with setting up important goals.

Saying that it's so easy to be critical on the internet isn't it eamonn? Do we have to wait a whole generation before these eamon dunphy impersonators die out?

[osarusan]

Saying that it's so easy to be critical on the internet isn't it eamonn? Do we have to wait a whole generation before these eamon dunphy impersonators die out?

Because anybody who criticizes him for not playing as well for Ireland as he has done for Celtic simply must be people who idolize Dunphy? You don't think it is possible to do one but not the other?

[celticV3]

Because anybody who criticizes him for not playing as well for Ireland as he has done for Celtic simply must be people who idolize Dunphy? You don't think it is possible to do one but not the other?

I was pointing out the simularity to that post and the critisism by eamonn dunphy. Aiden will never be good enough for dunphy and judginf from the previous post that poster is unable to form his own opinion of player. I would hazard a guess that he does not like cristiano ronaldo aswell.

[irishfan86]

McGeady is a bit of a mystery. He lacks the consistency of a Hunt or a Kilbane, but he can do things neither of those players can dream of.

When he's on, he can terrorize any defence, but when he's off, he can be very frustrating.

A lot of "tricky wingers" are like this, and it's always a risk trying to accommodate his type of player.

But when you're as goal starved as we've been lately, you need to field that kind of player.

Would be fantastic if he had one of his good nights against Italy!

[elroy]

McGeady is a bit of a mystery. He lacks the consistency of a Hunt or a Kilbane, but he can do things neither of those players can dream of.

When he's on, he can terrorize any defence, but when he's off, he can be very frustrating.

A lot of "tricky wingers" are like this, and it's always a risk trying to accommodate his type of player.

But when you're as goal starved as we've been lately, you need to field that kind of player.

Would be fantastic if he had one of his good nights against Italy!


To be honest I wouldnt really call Hunt consistent, for Ireland at least.
Alot of people on this site have been big fans of McGeadys for a long time and I really have yet to see him put in a top/MOM performance for Ireland. Having said that his performances have improved and I do expect him to get better for us. Really needs to starting chipping in with goals for us too.

[Torn-Ado]

McGeadys finishing has let him down of late for Ireland. If he put away those chances against Montengro and Cyprus people may have a different view. Either way his international form is good so far this campaign.

[celticV3]

He's not a striker? His finishing leaves a lot to be desired but I think it is one of few flaws left in his overall game.

[Superhoops]

How long is it before people take off the Celtic blinkers and focus on Ireland which is what this forum is about.

It makes no difference to Ireland whether AMG is POTY is SPL or CL. What matters is when he pulls on the green for Ireland.

Like it or not, the SPL is a poor standard of football and being 'star man' in a non-significant CL game is totally immaterial to the Ireland team.

I hope AMG, when he pulls on the green turns out to be a class international player, From what I have seen in all of his 20+ ROI appearances the chances of it happening are slim to Nil.

I just think he is another player who performs exceptionally well at club level in a sub standard league.

I hope he might benefit from a move to Premier League but I doubt he will.

[irishultra]

why does he automatically have to play in england? does italy or spain not figure for you?