Aiden McGeady (born 4 April 1986 in Glasgow) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Celtic and the Republic of Ireland.

[edit] Club career

After progressing through the Celtic youth and reserve teams, McGeady was handed his debut as an 18-year-old against Hearts at Tynecastle during a Scottish Premier League game late in the 2003-04 season and marked it with a goal after just 17 minutes. He made his UEFA Champions League debut the next season in a game against Italian side AC Milan.

McGeady's 2005-06 season was hampered by a persistent knee injury, but he played a significant role in Celtic's second title winning season under Gordon Strachan, contributing 5 goals and 11 assists. The 2007–08 season was much better for McGeady, earning him praise from the media.^[1] One of his most memorable performances came against Aberdeen, scoring a goal and contributing three assists, setting up a second goal for striker Scott McDonald with an outrageous 360-degree turn and cross. He continued to provide goals for his team, most importantly Scott McDonald's equalising goal against rivals Rangers, a match that Celtic went on to win 3–2. A win which proved to be crucial in Celtic successful defence of their title. Throughout the season, he contributed a total of 8 goals and 24 assists.

McGeady was awarded the SPFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year on 20 April 2008, only the second player ever to receive both awards in the same season (the first was Shaun Maloney in 2006), as voted by his fellow players. He contributed seven league goals and nineteen assists, as Celtic won the championship. It was their third title in a row, which was the first time the club managed to do so since Jock Stein was manager. The 2008-09 was a difficult one for him due to his rocky relationship with Strachan. After a much-publicised dressing room row between player and manager, on 16 December 2008 Strachan fined him two weeks' wages and suspended him for the club's next two fixtures.^[2] although Strachan later denied any fall-out between him and McGeady.^[3]

The 2009-10 season began well for McGeady as he scored a brace against Aberdeen on the opening day of the season. It took a turn as he was sent-off against Hibernian on 30 August after receiving a controversial second booking for a supposed dive.^[4] He returned and scored a consolation against Old Firm rivals Rangers in a 2-1 loss.

[edit] International career

McGeady played for Scotland Schools while at Queen's Park. He played in an under-13 World Cup tournament in Paris.^[5] After Queen's Park he joined Celtic, who had a policy of not permitting their youths to play for their school teams due to conflicting kick off times (Scotland had a rule which would not permit a player who did not play for their school team to be considered for a call-up to Scotland Schools selects.^[6]) The Republic of Ireland, who had no such rule, instructed Packie Bonner, who knew of McGeady's Irish heritage, to invite McGeady to play for the Republic of Ireland Under-15 Schoolboys team.^[7][8] McGeady was then named in a Scotland under-16 squad, but the player declined to represent the Scots citing his experience of the Irish set up, despite attempts to persuade him to do so by Scotland head coach Berti Vogts.^[7][5] McGeady made his full début for the Republic of Ireland in June 2004 against Jamaica.^[9]

[edit] Personal life

His father is former professional footballer John McGeady.

[edit] Career statistics

As of 12 December 2009.

[edit] Honours

[edit] Club

Celtic

• Scottish Premier League (2006, 2007, 2008)

• Scottish League Cup (2006, 2009)
• Scottish Cup (2005, 2007)

[edit] Minor

• Reserve Scottish Premier League (2002, 2003, 2004)
• Under 19 Scottish Premier League (2003, 2004)
• Scottish Youth Cup (2003)

[edit] Individual

• Celtic FC Young Player of the Year (2005, 2006, 2007)
• Celtic FC Player of the Year (2008)
• SPFA Players' Player of the Year (2008)
• SPFA Young Player of the Year (2008)
• BBC Sportsound Player of the Year (2008)
• Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Year (2008)
• Scottish Premier League Player of the Month (5)
• Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Month (6)
• Eircom Republic of Ireland Young Player of the Year (2009)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Aiden McGeady career stats at Soccerbase
• Aiden McGeady's Official Website at officialplayerwebsites.com