Aiden McGeady’s Celtic career could have taken a very different turn before it ever got started.
The winger came through the club’s academy and became one of the most watchable players of his generation, but there was a point where Arsenal were close to taking him south.
At that stage, McGeady was doing the rounds in England, weighing up his options as a teenager.
He admits Arsenal stood out. Speaking on The Margins, he said:
“I first signed for Celtic. Before that, the kind of years leading up to that was kind of when I was going on trial down the teams in England and stuff.
“I was probably quite close to signing for Arsenal. They were probably the biggest team I felt most comfortable with.”
That move never happened, and the reason why sits a lot closer to home.
His father stepped in with a bit of clarity that cut through the noise.
“But then my dad kind of put it quite simply for me. He was like, ‘[I] did the same thing.’ He left school at 16, moved down to Sheffield.
“He said, ‘Look, you if you sign for Arsenal, what’s the chances of you actually making it in the first team? Probably quite slim.’
“At Celtic, you can stay at home, you can still see all your friends, you can live with your family… there’s more chance of getting in the first team.
“And I signed for Celtic and it was the best thing I’ve done.”
It is hard to argue with that looking back. McGeady didn’t just make the first team, he lit it up.
Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady
Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady
There was a swagger to him, a willingness to take a man on when others would recycle the ball. Supporters knew something might happen every time he picked it up.
That kind of player feels rarer now.
Celtic’s current wide options have pace and numbers behind them, but they do not always carry that same edge or bravery in one v one situations.
That is where McGeady stood apart. He took risks, backed himself, and forced defenders into mistakes.
With six league games left and the title race still alive, Celtic need players willing to step into that space.
Not safe passes or hesitation: someone to take responsibility in the final third and make something happen.
McGeady did that as a young player breaking through. This group now needs to show they can do similar when it matters most.