Aiden McGeady was delighted to notch his first ever international goal as Ireland beat Macedonia 2-1 in Dublin last night.
The points put Giovanni Trapattoni’s side into a three way tie at the top of Group B alongside Russia and Slovenia but the goal carried plenty of personal significance for the former Celt.
After 38 goal-less internationals the former Celt was the happiest man in Dublin as his shot after 84 seconds found the back of the net to set Ireland up for three points.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” he smiled after the match. “People would mention it to me now and again and I would start to think about it myself all the time.
“Games would come and go and there would be chances here and there. I would miss the odd chance or stick one over the bar.
“I think it was in the Norway game, I had a half-chance on the edge of the box and I was thinking; “When will I get a chance like that again?” I’m just delighted to get my first goal tonight.
“I’d have taken any type of goal, if the keeper palmed it in, I’ll take that.
“The manager feels I’ve got a decent shot on me when I get the chance to cut in and make space for myself. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score. That’s what he’s always on my case about.’
Robbie Keane quickly doubled Ireland’s lead but a goal from Ivan Trichkovski just before half time made the second half hard work.
Ireland travel to Macedonia in June as the group takes shape with McGeady grateful for last night’s victory.
He added: “The goals set the tone for the first half, except for the last five minutes, where we took our foot off the gas a bit. We let Macedonia get back in, which was disappointing and we became a bit edgy in the second half. Thankfully we held on for the victory.
“It’s a disaster if you are two up and it gets back to 2-2. Obviously, the fans got a bit edgy and the players can get a bit edgy and not play with freedom when it is that type of game.
“Of course it’s going to be difficult going there in June, they are a decent team. It is not one of those games where you think ‘ah we should beat them’. It’s a difficult team, but we’ll see what happens in June.”
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Well done Aiders, funny how the Scottish Rag Tops don’t seem to mention how well he’s doing in Russia….doubt if they would be so quiet if he had
been a failure..