McGeady urged to find first team football

Martin O’Neill has urged Aiden McGeady to find first team football in the new year.

The midfielder has played just 45 minutes of club football this season and fell out of O’Neill’s first XI as Ireland qualified for next summer’s European Championship finals in France.

It’s widely expected that McGeady will return to Celtic at some stage in his career with the possibility of a January deal bound to be attractive to both parties.

Looking towards France next summer O’Neill explained: “Players do need time on the field. These next few months and certainly after Christmas time in the lead-up to France, players do need to play.

“I can only choose so many players and fitness does play on your mind. For the likes of Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson, players who haven’t had much playing time for Everton just recently.

“We owe an awful lot to Aiden McGeady, his goal in Georgia, his two goals. The one to give us all three points was massive for us. I don’t forget these things but players do need to get time on the field. It’s important for fitness, it’s important for confidence.

“One or two players who have been in or around the squad and who have been excellent in their approach and their loyalty, for want of a better word, we will have some games hopefully coming up in March time.

“I will be making judgements on club form and I’ll be at lots and lots and lots of games and that’s great. It’s important for some players who get an opportunity in March to stake a claim.”

The draw for the group stage will take place on December 12.