The former winger also had spells at Everton, Sunderland and Hibs
Celtic favourite Aiden McGeady thinks he can draw from his own experiences to help future Celtic wingers and forwards, as the ex Everton and Sunderland man targets a return to the club where he made his name.
The former Republic of Ireland international spent a decade at Parkhead as a player, where he made his name and became the Hoops’ most expensive ever export when he moved to Spartak Moscow in 2010. After spells at Everton, Sunderland, Hibs and Ayr United, he hung up his playing boots two year ago to become a Technical Manager with the Honest Men. He has since taken up a role at Wigan Athletic, where he is part of their scouting network.
As a player, the limelight was on McGeady from a very young age. His lightning pace and fancy footwork made him an instant fan favourite. While he had a successful career on the pitch at Celtic Park, helping the club to four Scottish titles and winning player of the year in 2008, his frosty relationship with then-manager Gordon Strachan at times hindered his stint. As a man who has been through it all in the East End of Glasgow, McGeady believes he’d be ideal to impart his wisdom on the next generation.
McGeady on Celtic academy ambitions
Speaking to the Daily Record, the 40-year old said he’d ‘love’ to go back to the club where it all began, with a particular focus on helping young wingers and strikers come through the academy. Of the current crop, James Forrest is the only attacking homegrown Hoops man. When asked if he’d like a role in the academy ranks, the former Celtic Everton and Sunderland man responded: “You’d have to ask the powers that be if there would be a role or not…
“But yeah, I’d love to. You’re talking about wingers there, there’s things I think I could help players on, and little things in a game to coach them. Especially wingers and forwards. Everything I could do could apply to the whole Academy. It is something that I think is needed in football. Why would you not want to give players that you are paying a lot of money for or your Academy players every bit of help that they can get?”
Ex Hoops winger can draw on experiences to help next generation
The ex-attacker feels he’s in a unique position where he can help youngsters having been through the ranks himself. He continued: “Let’s be honest, everybody wants Academy players and young players in their first team, like when I was younger. I’d love to do something like that, whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
“It is something that I’d like to do because I feel that I’ve got too much experience and knowledge to keep it to myself and not pass it on. I’d love to be able to help. If that was first team or B team or younger Academy I’d love to be able to help them. Not to make the mistakes that I made, help them round their game in any way possible.”
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