IRELAND WINGER AIDEN McGeady has revealed that Martin O’Neill played a key role in his decision to leave Everton on loan.
The 29-year-old had fallen out of favour at Goodison Park and admitted that O’Neill had an input in his decision to join Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season.
“The national team manager [Martin O'Neill] told me that I had to get out and play,” McGeady told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“You’re wasting your time if you’re not playing. It wasn’t enjoyable at all.
I forgot what it was like to be a footballer. I was training Monday to Friday and then having weekends off.
“Once it got to October/November, I knew I had to get out.”
McGeady, who has 79 Ireland caps, also knows he needs to be playing football regularly to secure a spot in O’Neill’s squad for the European Championships in France later this year.
A number of clubs were interested in signing McGeady on loan but the former Celtic man insisted that the Owls, who are currently seventh in England’s second tier, were his first choice.
“It took a few days to get everything over the line but I’m delighted it worked out because I wanted to come here,” he told the Sheffield Wednesday website.
“The club has got aspirations to play in the Premier League, the team has had a good season so far and there’s a good chance of making the play-offs, if not having a good run and challenging for automatic promotion.
“That is the ideal scenario for me, to come here and hopefully help the team move towards that.”
McGeady has already been impressed with the setup and after making his debut as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw against Burnley on Tuesday, he feels he will be able to adapt to his new surroundings in no time.
“The way that the team plays suits me well. I could see that just from the first game the other night.
“Burnley are a side you would think have a great chance of promotion and are higher in the table but I thought we were the better team in the second half.
“It showed what we are capable of. There are still 17 games to go and a lot of points still to play for.”
Delighted to have him . move could be good for him. A club on the up !
No surprise, shocking to see how far you fell… Hope to see you back at the top, where ye belong…
Fingers crossed !
The timing is good – he’ll be fresh and fighting fit for the Euros! #COYBIG
He had to leave Everton one way or another. He’s no use to anyone if he’s not playing. Best of luck to him at the Owls & hopefully he’ll be back in the Premiership soon enough with them