International

New blow for McGeady

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Aiden McGeady has withdrawn from the Ireland squad for the international double header with Georgia and Moldova due to a hamstring injury.

The former Celtic midfielder was hoping to re-establish himself in Martin O’Neill’s side after enjoying five starting appearances for Preston North End following a loan move from Everton.

McGeady picked up the hamstring strain late in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend meaning that he won’t get the chance to add to his 85 international caps.

Having started the Euro 2016 campaign as the matchwinner with a double in Georgia his place in the team and even the squad came under threat as he was frozen out at Everton by Roberto Martinez.

McGeady made three substitute appearances at the finals in France and is grateful that Martin O’Neill stuck by him as his club prospects nosedived.

I was still in the squads but I lost my place in the team,” he told the Preston Evening News. “When I started being left out of the squads at Everton, I lost my place in the starting line-up.

I’d played all the qualifiers for the Euros up until about halfway and I understand that the manager cannot be picking players like that.

I was lucky to be getting in the squads to be honest because I wasn’t playing at all. Martin O’Neill was loyal to me, which was good, and I ended up making the Euros squad but I hadn’t played a lot of football.

I’m grateful to him for keeping me in his thoughts and hopefully I can get playing again and try and get my place back in the team.”

Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney has been called up into the squad after the withdrawl due to injury of Daryl Murphy.

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