Irish star shines at Russia’s Spartak

Irish midfielder Aiden McGeady has emerged as a crucial player for Spartak Moscow in his first season though Russia’s most decorated side failed to advance into the Champions’ League knockout stages and are only fourth in the domestic league.

In August, Spartak lured the 24-year-old McGeady from Celtic for 12 million euros after a protracted series of negotiations, despite the interest of the English Premiership side Aston Villa.

In the beginning, the wisdom of the move was questioned by many of Russia’s football experts.

In his first matches for the nine-times Russian Champions, McGeady looked a typical representative of the British and Irish style of play, and out of harmony with Spartak’s playing traditions.

However, gradually the first Irish player in the Russian Premiership, managed to adapt his speed, efficiency and initiative playing to the creative approach of his Brazilian teammates, who now form Spartak’s attacking line.

This combination quickly stood out, establishing McGeady as an integral member of Russia’s most decorated club and bringing him the recognition of Spartak’s famously difficult fans.

McGeady’s progress at Spartak was such that he managed to become one of Spartak’s most indispensable players within just couple of months after his debut in the Russian league. His successful playing for Spartak also rose his stock in Ireland’s national side. In the 2012 European championship qualifier against Russia, Ireland’s manager Giovanni Trappatoni was so impressed by McGeady’s playing in Russia that he used the universal midfielder at three different positions. Russia won the match 3-2 but McGeady’s performance won praise from his teammates.

“It’s unbelievable how Aiden managed to improve his skills in such a short term,” Ireland’s longstanding skipper Robbie Keane said. “At Spartak he is playing splendidly.”

“Many (people) criticised him as he still failed to score for the national side but he’s definitely capable of doing it and, I believe, will soon score his first goal for Ireland.”

“McGeady is able to ignite our team’s attack with his speed and individual technique.”

At Spartak, McGeady is also scoring not too often, but he is improving his record day by day.

He netted his first goal a month after his first appearance in the Moscow club, nudging the ball into the net with his chest in the match with Amkar Perm, and then scored the winner in the match with Rostov, which Spartak won 2-1.

Meanhile McGeady’s effectiveness in attack and deadly passing have never been in doubt, bringing him praise from Spartak’s manager Valery Karpin.

“We were watching him closely before offering him a contract,” he said.

“And we were pinning serious hopes on him. Now I can say we were quite right. Aiden began to justify our hopes right after his arrival.” “Now we hope he will continue his top-class performance and keep on helping us to gain success.”

AFP