Aiden McGeady M Ayr Utd b.1986

[Charlie Darwin]

Some individual goal there from the striker.

[Noelys Guitar]

mcGeady playing very well. Is going by the ful back at will

[DannyInvincible]

Just spotting "Макгиди" on the back of McGeady's jersey, ha.

My stream popped the clogs.

[Charlie Darwin]

Did for me too - worked once I refreshed.

[DannyInvincible]

Yeah, it's working again now no problem.

[EastTerracer]

He should have had another assist in the last minute but his pass was cut out. A good debut all round and he got a full 90 minutes in a 2-1 win. Away to Marseilles in the CL on Wednesday and then away to Spartak Nalchik on Monday week.

[DannyInvincible]

2-1 the final score. What sort of attendances do they get? Stadium looks about three quarters empty.

[Noelys Guitar]

Shevchenko's twin brother managing Spartak!

[Charlie Darwin]

That's Valery Karpin innit?

[Noelys Guitar]

Yes. Top player in his time. Good start for McGeady. A couple more games and he should really be firing on all cyclinders. I can see this move really working out forhim and us.

[shakermaker1982]

Good to hear he got off to a good start. If he can keep that up then he'll be brimming with confidence for the double header next month.

[Qwerty]

Goals and more assists are certainly things Aiden needs to improve on but you can't completely dismiss his contribution in those terms. In Sofia last June he came on as sub and was the out ball for the Irish defense - he took the ball up the other end of the pitch on a couple of occasions and relieved the pressure of the Bulgarian attack. Maintaining possession is of huge value (even if it's just a fruitless dribble past a couple of players into the corner flag). He knows more than anyone that he needs to improve his final ball but it's a bit unfair to suggest he hasn't done anything.

For sure, he has very good feet and is adept at playing his way out of trouble. Certainly a useful player for holding possession and is the kind of player you look at to hold the ball when holding onto a lead.

I was unimpressed though with his contribution against Armenia, our midfield as usual was bereft of creativity and besides a few useful long passes from the back only Liam Lawrence sparked anything. Once Duff & Hunt return I think McGeady will struggle for game time. He had one nice run aided by Kilbane but his shot was as we've come to expect weak, pretty much sums him up in a green shirt.

He needs to bulk up a bit and add some power to his game.

[Paddy Garcia]

Hunt is a long way behing McGeady & a liability to boot. Useful from the bench though.

[therock67]

That was a lovely pass for the first goal.

[Crosby87]

Yes. Top player in his time. Good start for McGeady. A couple more games and he should really be firing on all cyclinders. I can see this move really working out forhim and us.

I'm going to quote you on that NG! I hope it happens and I trust your judgement but things should be sorted on here.

[Sullivinho]

That was a lovely pass for the first goal.

Not dissimilar to his assist for Robbie's goal during the week. Great to see.

[Philly]

Here are some clips of McGeady's first game. Looks like he was lively, and great pass for the first goal.

Here's hoping this is a sign of good things to come!

[seanfhear]

I know they were only highlights but that looked like an excellent debut for Aiden.

Its a brave move and it will be interesting to see how Aiden does playing with better players.

[The Fly]

http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/McGe...-up.6527505.jp


McGeady delighted after setting up winner on debut for Spartak
by Brian Walker

AIDEN McGEADY revealed he loved his debut for Spartak Moscow after he set up the winning goal. The £9 million former Celtic winger played the full 90 minutes as Spartak beat FC Saturn 2-1. The Irish international provided the assist for Brazilian Welliton to score the winner after the striker had already netted for McGeady's side.

"The main thing was we won," said McGeady. "It was nice that I helped with one of the goals, but the credit belongs to Welliton. He's a great striker.

"The game was extremely difficult and tense. We managed to score, but they equalised and it took us time to adjust our game. Saturn were a strong, physical team.

"They reminded me of clubs in Scotland because they were defensive and tried to play on the counter-attack. To get past them was not easy. I'm a little tired after playing the full 90 minutes. I haven't played any matches in the pre-season, but now I am starting to get match fit after playing for Ireland in Europe. Once I start getting the games in for Spartak, I will get into my stride.

"I was playing on the right wing and, although I usually played on the left with Celtic, I played on the right wing earlier in my career. Anyway, I generally fell very comfortable being in that position. It was different for me playing on the artificial grass here, but I am confident I can adapt to the surface. I had better since we play all our home games on it!

"Now I have the Champions League to look forward to. I still don't have enough match practice, but that will come once I get games under my belt."

Spartak boss Valery Karpin said: "McGeady had a good game and showed the qualities that we bought him for."

[Fergie's Son]

Excellent start! I hope this works out well for him but so far so good!