At 24 years old, Aiden McGeady has decided to call time on his Celtic career. Celtic will recieve £9.5 million pounds for his services and the flying winger will ply his trade in the Russian capital of Moscow with Spartak in the coming season.
This has come as no surprise to most of the Celtic faithful and some feel that he has come as far as he can with the Bhoys.
Son of Sheffield Utd winger John McGeady, Aiden was spotted whilst playing for Scotland schools whilst at Queens Park. This was appropriate as he was destined to grace Hampden at a higher level in the coming years. As a very talented teenager, McGeady had a host of high profile sides watch him on a regular basis.
Celtic was his chosen destination however, despite overtures from Manchester United and Arsenal among others and with his Donegal family connections, this was almost expected.
McGeady came through the ranks of the youth and virtually by-passed the reserve team to make his first team debut as a 17-year-old the tail end of 2003/2004.
At the tender age of 17, Martin O’Neill pitched him into the heat of battle against Hearts at Tynecastle and instructed him to run riot against a traditionally troublesome side for the hoops.
McGeady took full advantage of this opportunity and combined a devastating display with a vicious half volley in the 17th minute which Craig Gordon could only admire as it flew past him into the net. The game ended up a 1-1 draw but McGeady was on his way to stardom with the team he grew up supporting and loved more than any other.
Celtic won the League (again) that season under O’Neill and Aiden McGeady was the name on everyone’s lips as the new khid on the block. The Champions League beckoned and we had a new weapon to unleash upon unsuspecting European opponents. Life was rosy in Paradise.
AC Milan came out the hat in the Champions League and we all knew how tough that would be. McGeady however, decided to showcase his mercurial talents against the Italian giants and in a charged atmosphere at Celtic Park, he took Argentinian full back Coloccini apart and treated him with impudent contempt.
Apparently, after the game, Coloccini had to visit a chiropracter to re-align his head.
The masterful Alessandro Nesta suffered the same fate as he attempted to shepherd McGeady towards the corner flag. With a shimmy and a sleight of foot, the Celtic winger left the Italian looking like a stunned debutant as he veered away and brought the stadium to it’s feet.
Even the evergreen Paulo Maldini was suitably impressed and clapped the wee man in a way that brought back memories of another Celtic winger from the past, but wearing the iconic number 7. This was what they had paid to see and McGeady was in no mood to let them down.
San Siro grief
The ownership of a wing position at Celtic brings it’s own challenges and consistency is one of them. Aiden suffered derision from the stands whenever he had a bad game and it seems that all Celtic wingers will be compared to Jinky. This is unfortunate, as anyone who is old enough to remember will tell you, even Jinky had his off days.
Derision of another kind was in the offing at every away game for Aiden as he used his option to choose the Republic of Ireland over Scotland to play his international football.
The hatred generated by opposing fans was akin to the vile and unwarrented racism black players have suffered for generations. It was sickening and continues to this day. One country, many cultures? As long as it’s not Irish in Scotland.
McGeady was inspirational and exciting but lacked that killer finish which defines truly great players. He was often criticised for not tracking back and this brought groans from the crowd on a regular basis. It was, ironically, Gordon Strachan who helped change this and a new resolve brought a new dimension to McGeady’s game.
One game in particular highlighted Strachan’s influence on Aiden. Celtic V Rangers at Parkhead. Barry Ferguson robbed McGeady of the ball and sped off to set up a rare Rangers attack. Instead of waiting for the next Celtic player to intervene, McGeady chased Ferguson for 50 yards to reclaim the ball and pass to a hooped shirt.
McGeady’s emergence and maturity meant that Shaun Maloney’s departure to Aston Villa was barely noticed as McGeady displayed his electric skills on a more regular basis. He had a couple of excellent seasons, highlighted by victories over Manchester United and Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Celtic only just lost out to AC Milan in extra time of the knockout stages and Milan went on to claim yet another European crown. This was the first time in Celtic’s history that they had qualified beyond the group stages of the Champions League and another famous chapter was added to Celtic’s illustrious history. Heady heights indeed and how the faithful lapped it up.
In season 2007/8, magical McGeady was immense. His outrageous 360 degree turn and cross for Skippy to nod into an unguarded Aberdeen net at Pittodrie will live long in the memory and Youtube may endure burnout with the constant requests to view this piece of footballing decadence.
He was also a thorn in the Rangers side at Parkhead as he teased and tormented the blue backline throughout. His trickery set up Scott McDonald (again) for the second goal in a thrilling 3-2 victory over our ancient rivals.
That year, McGeady became only the second player ever to win both the SPFA and Young Player Of The Year in the same season, (after Shaun Maloney two years previously).
This was a fitting reward as he was instrumental in Celtic winning 3 Championships in a row, with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink sealing the title in typical Celtic style on the last day at Tannadice. The Celts also made it 2-in-a-row in the CL as we went beyond the group stages for the second consecutive year. Happy days!
A loss of form by Celtic in general the following season, gifted the title to a limited Rangers side who must have thought that God was indeed a bluenose. There was a lot of bickering in the camp, culminating in a dreadful stand-up dressing room row between Strachan and McGeady.
It is alleged that Aiden questioned Gordon’s parentage and vile words were bandied about by the player in the general direction of the boss. Despite denials of a rift, McGeady was banned for a fortnight and ultimately, Celtic lost the league. Strachan resigned and only one side of Glasgow were happy with that season’s proceedings.
Last season is best left to the historians to fathom. Mowbray came and went, Rangers laughed their way to their easiest league success in many a year and McGeady was left to ponder what life under Neil Lennon would hold for him.
As it happened, Lennon decided on a clearout and alongside Artur Boruc, McGeady was a big name in the new gaffer’s out-tray. Fans are divided on this. Some think he is the best thing since Jimmy Johnstone and some think he is a luxury we cannot afford.
Celtic diehard Sean Henderson from Glasgow reckons “Aiden is a marvellous talent and it will be a terrible shame to see him go, but every player has a price and if Celtic can use the money to re-invest in 2 or 3 good players, then that is a good piece of business”.
Brisbane Celt John Crawford was in pragmatic mood when he ventured “The wee mhan has gone, a quality player who will be missed, however, let’s bid him farewell and look to the future.
“Who will replace him? Let’s not jump in wildly and buy just for the sake of the new season. As Zig Ziglar once said,”To respond is positive, to react is negative” Lets be wise with our purchases”.
Either way, nobody in the green half of Glasgow will forget the day in March of 2009 when McGeady of Celtic went to Hampden. Rangers were the opponents in the League Cup Final and after fellow Irishman Darren O’Dea put Celtic one up with a glorious header just before half time, McGeady tore Broadfoot apart with a devastating display of wing dominance.
With Aiden bearing down on goal, the Rangers man caught him from the back and was sent packing with the sound of 25,000 Celtic fans cheering him on his way.
McGeady put the ball on the spot, looked up at the swarthes of green and white scarves and flags behind the goal and sent the Rangers goalie the wrong way with a beautifully placed kick. The ball hit the net and the Celtic end went ballistic as the two Irish goalscorers reprised Riverdance with a jig that meant the Cup was coming home to Paradise.
That’s the way I would like to remember him-Cup in hand and a huge grin that says “No matter which country I play in, this is my first love and always will be”.
Hail Hail Aiden McGeady.
Read Eddie’s tribute to Artur Boruc
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Canny argue wi’ any of that Joe…good post.
Cheers for that, couldn’t argue with much of it at all and would have forgot half of it if it wasn’t for guys like yourself.
hail hail
Thanks goes to Aiden, he is celtic thru and thru. I hope he enjoys Moscow, he will decide himself how far he goes in the game, there is no limit to what he can achieve and something tells me this is not the end of Aiden’s Celtic story- God Bless Aiden, and haste ye back- joe
Great post joe, hail hail aiden! Onwards and upwards I say. For both of us.
I can’t take the credit for this Mike, check the author, it’s Eddie ‘the wordsmith of oz’ Murray what wroted it, not me.
I’ve added a link to Eddie’s Artur Boruc tribute, who is the next subject for Eddie, Georgios?
Nice one Joe, I agree, Aiden is a true Celt.It was time for him to make the break,for the sake of his career plus bringing in £9.5 million to invest. Thank ***f there won’t be a Hugh Dallas, or Rev Mike or any of the other shower of ref’s from Scotland for that matter,when he goes to Moscow. Good Luck wee man. HAIL HAIL
What Donegal connections? Both his parents are Scottish, as are 3 of his grandparents.
What an embarrassing load of pap. Aiden has ONE Irish grandparent. He is Scottish, and chose to play for ROI for reasons best kept off a public forum.
I see the “I’m Irish but couldn’t point to Dublin on a map” brigade (Old Brigade?) are on in force. They’ll be desperate to be at the first home game to make sure the club still insist on playing that Diddly-Dee music post-match. It appeals to the lowest commom denominator Celtic fan.
As for Aiden’s football ability, the fact that no EPL club were prepared to take the gamble says it all. Best of lucj Aiden – I fear you may need it. We’ll barely miss him.
James
If it wasn’t for the ‘Diddly-Dee music post match’ you wouldn’t have a club to watch, perhaps you don’t quite know the history.
If it wasn’t for the large numbers of Irish people moving to Scotland we wouldn’t have a club.
Willhelm
Like myself and most people Aiden has four grandparents.
He holidayed in Donegal throughout his schooldays and played for the Irish youth teams.
Like James McCarthy of Wigan he wasn’t deemed good enough for Scotland but had his talent recognised and nurtured by Ireland.
He is perfectly entitled to chose to play for Ireland, his Irish credentials are much stronger than Nigel Spackman’s Scottish ‘bloodline’ or Steven McLean’s Northern Irish ‘bloodline’.
Right Joe – we need that Diddly Dee to keep the club alive! No wonder we’re stuck in the dark ages when people like you spout that kinda nonsense. Irish founder? Fair enough. Irish theme park? Embarrassing. My grandparent were Irish, but I was born and bred in Greenock, so I’m Scottish, of Scottish born parents, and proud of it. Celtic play in Glasgow, in the Scottish League, always have done. Glasgow is in Scotland.
I betcha the “rebelling against the Crown” bit is your favourite Joe? I had the misfortune to be in Lincoln (I live close by) with English friends to witness the Plastic Paddy’s in action. IRA nonsense all day, burning English flags, abusing soldiers etc etc etc. Again, embarrassing. I apologised to my English friends and assured them all Celtic fans were not so brain-dead, just a sizeable minority.
You sound a very uncomfortable Celtic fan James.
The name explains things, a club of Irish origins playing in Scotland.
Aiden McGeady is an example of the 21st century Celt, born in Scotland and choosing to play for Ireland.
The fact that some people can’t live with that is their problem, I suspect that if Shaun Maloney had chosen to play for Malaysia, where he was born, he wouldn’t have taken the abuse that McGeady has taken for six years.
There are a number of ‘supporters’ that the club could do without, equally the vast, vast majority are a credit to the club, as recognised by FIFA and UEFA, and the support in general is without doubt one of Celtic’s greatest assets.
Yes Joe. Irish origins. 120 bl00dy years ago!
I’ve just shown your comment to a colleague who pointed something out and burst out laughing:
“He holidayed in Donegal throughout his schooldays”
He says he holidayed in Rhyl throughout his schooldays, and wonders if despite being English, of English parents, and having lived in England all his life, he should apply to play for Wales?
Self proclamation about being “The Greatest Fans…” and silly awards campaigned for by ourselves don’t wash with those of a modicum of intelligence. Some of us are not scared to admit the truth, and any decent Celtic fan who was in Lincoln had no choice but to admit the truth.
Let’s leave Irieland for the Irish. However with Neil as manager now, I suppose the morons will have had an extra little lift. After all “Like me and you, he’s a Provo too”…..
It’s 2010 Joe, not 1916.
Joe, there’s no point in debating like bitter and twisted muppets like this character. He sounds like he’s just off the Follow Follow site and has forgotten which direction he’s going in-just like Coloccini.
My my Eddie, have I touched a raw nerve? So anyone who doesn’t agree with the pseudo-Irish nonsense isn’t a real Celtic supporter and in fact must be a Rangers supporter?
Your proclamation coupled with your infantile attempt at abuse says more about you than I ever can.
I suspect you are exactly the kind of Celtic fan who disgraced my beloved club in Lincoln.
He holidayed in Donegal throughout his schooldays.
LOL Jeez Oh! I used to holiday in Costa Blanca, but always considered myself Scottish Joe. As for…. if Shaun Maloney had chosen to play for Malaysia, where he was born.
Joe
He’s perfectly entitled to play for the country of his birth, however his parents are Scottish and he chose that way.
Wee Aiden’s parents are Scottish, he’s Scottish and three of his grandparents are Scottish – so how the feck can he be Oirish? Think about it Joe.
Joe’s about to change the course of history and tell us the famine was at the centre of Sellik’s culture.
Eddie
There is room for most shades of opinion in Celtic matters, James sounds like a Celtic fan but as I said earlier seems uncomfortable with certain aspects that define the club.
Willhelm is clearly not a Celtic fan and has difficulty dealing with FIFA rules.
Aiden is as entitled to choose to play for Ireland as Richard Gough, Stuart McCall, Andy Gorman, Matt Elliot, Neil Sullivan, Don Hutchison and Nigel Quashie are to play for Scotland.
I never detected any English anger at the international choices made by those players, they accept it and are comfortable with it.
During the recent World Cup there were many players playing for countries that they weren’t born in.
Best of luck in Moscow Aiden, you should be free to concentrate and enjoy your football with Spartak, perhaps there may be an ’emotional’ return to Glasgow coming up in the Champions League…
Well i think theres something fishy going on here and its not a Donegal catch for the Russians its the transfer fee, i really hope he stayed too.
My point is that I wrote an article on Aiden’s time at Celtic and gave an honest opinion on it.
I BRIEFLY touched on the sectarian abuse he suffers week in week out in sectarian Scotland and this has been almost neglected by the mainstream media.
I choose to highlight this as we need balance. The last time I looked, this was a CELTIC site for Celtic fans and I try to represent the views of the common man like myself.
I was not in Lincoln as, If Mr Molloy cared to read the comments closely, I live in Brisbane. I refuse to link myself with the IRA/Celtic crowd and I don’t sing their songs.
I spent a lot of time in Scotland working on ecumenical matters and still do. I resent the implications from this man who does not know anything about me other than that I refuse to sit back meekly and silently whilst Celtic, Catholics and Irish folk are villified and osteracised in a “sporting” context everywhere we go.
If Mr Molloy chooses to take one paragraph of a reasonably lengthy football article and use it to do similar to fellow Celts, then I put it back to him that perhaps he should take a long good look at himself. It certainly speaks volumes about HIM!
If having a grandmother from Donegal is not a connection then I apologise for my silly mistake!
I think Aiden McGeady is great!