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I hope he has family that will accompany him. If not I'd be buying 'learn Russian in a week' and then heading to some nightclubs!!
Looks like Celtic could really be pushing this one through because its the best offer on the table. From the few quotes we've read from McGeady this is obviously not a move he wants to make and could be disastrous for him if he doesnt settle. Wonder would he dig his heals in and stick with Celtic (he has a 1-2 years left on his contract) rather than go to Moscow? Gives Villa the opportunity to put in a reduced offer on deadline day I suppose.......
More on Spartak - http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...l-2281812.html
"However, the Moscow club are prepared to double McGeady's salary into the region of €45,000 per week, with the added bonus that the personal tax rate in Russia is only 13pc."
"Spartak's wealthy owner Leonid Fedun -- believed to be the world's 122nd richest man -- has tasked transfer broker Evegeny Smolentsev with completing the deal, with reports in Russia suggesting that the latter faces the sack unless he gets his man."
"As far as I know he was travelling today to speak to Moscow and have a look at the club and the surroundings and take things from there," Lennon said.
"This has dragged on a bit longer than what we wanted. I would like to think that we would get a definitive idea after this."
How can a move to Moscow be any worse than staying in the stagnant SPL. I assume Spartak will be competing in the Champions League this year? They have money behind them so playing in a competative team every week can only help him develop as a player. Sure, it may be a bit of a culture shock at first but the chance to play in on of the world's great capital cities doesn't come too often. Accepted, Villa would probably be a better move for him if he plays regularly but staying in Glasgow and competing with Rangers for a two-horse league and the Scottish Cup. With Neil Lennon in charge!!!! ffs that would be madness given McGeady's promise and the urgent need for him to develop his talent.
As for Sheridan, he shouldn't even think twice about this move if he's any ambition at all. Another loan move to St. Johnston or a spell in League 1 in England as opposed to a major European club in CSKA. The Bulgarian League is decent enough and he might just get a league winners medal out of it. Plus, Bulgarian women are super hot! ;)
I know both are quite young but I wish Irish players were a bit more open minded about where they play their football.
It could be, if the player doesnt actually want to be there? It will be interesting to hear the next quotes from Aiden after his visit to Moscow, I just dont get the impression he wants to go, despite the money on offer.
Moscow I would say would be one of, if not the most difficult city to adapt to, culturally, language, climate, its so far apart from what he knows. That isnt to say, I wouldnt like him to give it a go, I just dont get the impression he'd be all that comfortable with it. I suppose we should know within the next 24-48 hrs. He obviously wont feature in the CL qualifier tomorrow night.
I would have said Moscow and Glasgow have a fair bit in common!
Where is this coming from; (if to be believed) Spartaks obsession with acquiring him?
I can see two years ago but I dont understand why it is coming on now?
If the reason is that they think he had a down year and is going to come back on strong then I hope they are right, It just seems so...whats the word? Random.
I think in this Internet era, scouts and teams are more aware of players than ever before. McGeady is highly rated all over the world -- the likes of Messi have been quoted as saying they know about him and admire his play.
If you go to a more basic level, I believe McGeady is the highest rated Irish player (or one of them) in the FIFA 2010 game. I know that sounds like a bit of a joke, but my point is that FIFA ratings generally dictate the reputation of a player, and McGeady is well known throughout Europe. Not as well known as the elite players, but I think if he ever plays in a World Cup, he could get the same sort of international reputation Robbie Keane or Damien Duff have (most football fans around the world know these two).
If anyone wants to pay £10 mill for him at this stage, they must have a few quid they're looking to, er, offload.
Doubtless Celtic/NL won't spend it especially wisely but there's always the chance of 2 or 3-in-a-row once 'The Cardigan' exits stage right.....
McGeady is the highest rated LWM in FIFA 2010! That's got to count for something!
This "saga" frustrates me greatly. First of all, the soundbytes Lennon comes out with can be disregarded as that tosser messed Leicester around himsel. But for Aiden, I dunno, he's an offer from a club with a pretty good history, regularily in European competition, fighting for domestic honours, in a league of a higher standard and a better calibre of player than in Scotland. Plus they're going to double his wages to some 50k a week (approx). To me it's a no-brainer, especially when there is no firm offer in from Villa, a place I don't think he'll be guarenteed a game.
I think I read an article when he was breaking through, that similar to John O'Shea his parents were strict in that his education wouldn't suffer should a professional career develop, and that he's quite an intelligent fella, so learning a second language shouldn't be that hard. I'm presuming it's either ignorance or stupidity that people are saying that moving there would be a culture shock - it doesn't seem to be a problem for the brazilians, portuguese, argentinians etc (non-eastern europeans) that play in the Russian League and prosper. I dare say the 50K pw would make life quite comfortable in Moscow. Go for it Aiden, you're going stagnant at Celtic.
Off-topic, I'd love to see Sheridan make the jump to Levski too,
First off I am no McGeady correspondent but if anybody could learn Russian and adapt to the culture I think Aiden could do it, his Mum and Dad made sure he stayed at school to earn grades and he pretty much got an A+ for every grade so he is more than capable of learning Russian. He's a very intelligent boy.
I went to the same school as Aiden in St Ninians in Giffnock. although he was a few years behind me but the whole talk of the town was this boy, then he played for us (Celtic) at 17 or something and he took Milan apart himself.
I saw him in the flesh a few times when he was younger and it was about the time when the real Ronaldo started doing stepovers to get past people and thats what he did on the playground basically.
The boy is pure class. Just hope MON comes back for him just to show the doubters, ma da couldnae believe me when I said I used to compete with McGeady to play for our High School team and that I was even up there to be picked along side him.
It saddens me the way you think. if you dont think Ireland will progress with Duff and co. Don't start slagging McGeady because he is the most technically gifted and skillfull player you have and he can play with either foot from what I have seen.
Im no Irish but as a Celtic fan I do follow yous like most in the crowd but it seems to me that Trap will not use 2 wingers and that is the Italian mentality.
Spartak Moscow fans have dubbed Aiden McGeady as ‘McGreedski’ :D, and threaten revolt over the vast sums being offered to the winger.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ash-offer.html
Why would Russian people use an English punn??
Hmm, it wouldn't be like that rag to have a sly dig at McGeady at all. No agenda there whatsoever.
What saddens you specifically? I dont really understand the point you are making with regards to Duff?
I agree McGeady is two footed, an excellent attribute (you would think we could take that for granted with professional footballers but alas we can't so it is definitely a massive positive for him and Ireland).
What exactly is it ive said that you dispute?.
Trap plays 4-4-2 - That has been a mixture of Lawrence/Hunt/McGeady/Duffer as the wide midfielders - Yes Trap ensures they understand their defensive duties but its 2 wingers/wide midfielders is it not?
I'm not sure why Im even bothering to reply when you obviously dont read the posts people make. He may well be Irelands most technically gifted player at the moment (though thats debateable), that doesnt mean he hasnt got areas of his game that need dramatic improvement, worthy of discussion.
Really? Because I would say its probably more ignorant or stupid to suggest otherwise. Thats not to say it isnt do-able, of course it is but to insinuate that it would be a walk in the park because of all the $$$$$ is simply ridiculous. I'm not sure how many of those brazilians, argentinians, etc... learn Russian (Im no expert on languages but Id imagine its a tad tricky bearing in my the crylic alphabet etc..) Perhaps, his girlfriend is not that keen, perhaps he has other family issues to consider, perhaps just doesnt fancy being holed up in some crib mansion with armed bodyguards and all the other crap that will probably come with a move such as this.
In my 2 (albeit very short) visits to Moscow its amazing at how different the place is. Amazing history and buildings and the likes but I bet it can be a bleak place and they can be right moody fcukers - In my opinion it most definitely would be a culture shock.
Bit bizarre that you wouldnt meet the coach prior to signing?
Junior I suppose what I'm saying is that the fella is far from the dumbass that a lot of players would seem to be, so the inadequate education isn't the factor, and that for people to suggest is incorrect. I believe that if he wants to succeed badly enough, he will. I referenced those fellas as an example of people from a completely different culture with absolutely no idea perhaps of what Moscow is like.
I think he's gone as far as he can with Celtic, and that he should either shoot down the Muscovites or move,
Fair enough but I dont think anyone (well not posters here that I am aware of) are suggesting he's too thick to make the move, more that its 'Moscow' Im sure plenty of well educated people have struggled to settle there in the past! If it was Spain, Germany or France or the like then the transition would appear to be much easier to make, I think the deal would have been sealed much quicker. England would be his first choice Im guessing and that seems to be the generally accepted view.
I'm a Celtic fan and I agree, he needs to move now. I am not convinced that Moscow would work out if thats where he goes but no matter what I want him to be a success wherever he ends up and prove, in an Ireland shirt, the great player he is and should be for us.
Moscow in November is about the last place anyone would want to be (and that is when I came across Roma in Red Square who were there for a Champions League game). I don't know how anyone could play in the conditions. It was painfully cold. Its not just learning a language - its also learning a new alphabet and even though I was really only in the main tourist area of Moscow, there were no roman signs on anything. I was also unable to buy a map to get around. Luckily I had a bit of a map from a magazine that I had taken off the plane. (I was only on a stop over). I've been in a lot of countries (including China), and I would rate it as being the most difficult to get around.
Hopefully he can settle in if he does go and hopefully Celtic can spend the money well!
Liam Lawrence waiting in the wings to replace him if Aiden does decide to go Russian. Apparently.
must admit from personal point of view I dont really want to see him sign for Moscow simply because he is one of my fav players and I enjoy watching him.Would much prefer to see him in the Premiership.
The last player that I remember going from the SPL to Russia was Gary O Connor and that it didnt work out too well from him, dont think he settled there at all.
I don't think McGeady really wants to go to Moscow at all but he's being pushed out the door by Celtic as the money on offer is too good to turn down. I'm sure he would prefer a move to England but nobody is really spending in England this Summer apart from Man City and Villa obviously will only come in for him if the Milner transfer goes through.
He might decide to take the money on offer for a season in Moscow and then hope to get a move to England next Summer a la Gary O'Connor.
I cant believe there aren't any Prem teams with a little cash that would take a run at him and make it work for both sides....
What about Sunderland or something like that. Wolves even.
i honestly dont think the money is in the Premiership this season Crosby. Not enough to take a chance on a player who is, though clearly talented, a relatively untested luxury.
If any Premiership were offering anything close to 9.5 million pounds, which is the figure I've been reading, he'd be gone in a flash, even on half the wages Spartak Moscow are offering him. That's just a fact.
I highly doubt the likes of Sunderland or Wolves would be offering any more than four or five million. Lads, face it, he's got great skill but it would be a huge gamble - I've watched him play lots and he has never looked the finished product.
Gotta love Trap's quotes on the possible McGeady move:
“I think Russia is too far and the championship is not easy. I want to ask him if he is ready psychologically, because McGeady is a very sensitive man and he is very young. Maybe it is a great opportunity, though, and I will be happy for him if he is sure he wants to go. If he is convinced, then okay.”
from today's rumours on football365.com: http://football365.com/story/0,17033...296921,00.html
Quote:
Aston Villa have launched a move for Aiden McGeady as they finally prepare to sell James Milner. Negotiations with Manchester City will see them get around £20million plus midfielder Stephen Ireland
What a fecking deal like. The overrated milner for Ireland, McGeady and 10 million left over! Which could of course go for robbie since he's priced at 6.