Sunderland winger discusses his future as contract nears end

Aiden McGeady says he hopes to carry on playing for Sunderland for ‘as long as he can’ – after being brought back in from the cold under Lee Johnson.
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The 34-year-old was exiled under former manager Phil Parkinson and looked destined for an exit from the Stadium of Light, before being given a new lease of life under Johnson.

McGeady has been a near ever-present since the appointment of the new head coach and put in a dazzling display against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday afternoon – as he provided all four assists for Charlie Wyke in the resounding win.

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And the winger has opened up on being branded the ‘pantomime villain’ during his time away, and admits he has Johnson to thank for bringing him back into the side.

Aiden McGeady opens up on his Sunderland return, being the 'pantomime villain' and his future plansAiden McGeady opens up on his Sunderland return, being the 'pantomime villain' and his future plans
Aiden McGeady opens up on his Sunderland return, being the 'pantomime villain' and his future plans

“It's funny how football changes, because a year ago I was the pantomime villain,” said McGeady, speaking after the Doncaster win.

"And then, when I came back - you become a better player when you don't play, don't you? That's the way football is sometimes and I went from the pantomime villain to almost like the hero when I came back.

"I was thinking there was a lot of pressure because I've not actually played a lot of football - but it just shows you football can change very quickly.

“I'm just glad to be playing,” he continued.

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"After the year I've had, it's been difficult. I've had all sorts of things said about me and labelled against me, and I think the proof is in the pudding. I'm glad to be back playing and I think the players are happy to have me back.

"I've got to give the manager a lot of credit as well because straight away he's come in and said 'you're going to be a big player for me.' He's said that from day one and I have to give him a lot of thanks as well. Ultimately it's not about me, the end goal is about the team getting up. It's as simple as that.”

McGeady is one of the key beneficiaries of Johnson’s reign so far, and is flourishing in the front-footed style of play now employed by the Black Cats.

When in possession, the winger is able to benefit from a large degree of freedom – which allows him to find the pockets of space necessary to provide the deliveries he has become renowned for across his career.

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But McGeady knows he needs to remain disciplined in the shape, as Johnson looks to get his message across to the side despite limited training time owing to the hectic schedule of fixtures facing the side.

“With the ball, yeah, I've got a lot of freedom,” explained the winger.

"Without the ball he can be quite rigid in how he wants the team to play and press. With the ball I can kind of go where I want and do what I want as long as other players fill in and you get back into shape as quick as possible.

"He's totally different from what we had before in terms of how he wants the team to press and play - and it's difficult for him because he's not had a lot of time with the team to implement his ideas, so we're trying our best to take it in and put it on the pitch.”

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McGeady’s influence on the Sunderland side has grown in recent weeks as he continues to build-up his match sharpness following his spell in the wilderness.

And despite his dazzling display against Doncaster, the experienced wideman says he still isn’t at full fitness just yet.

“I played no games from July,” he explained.

"That was my last game at Charlton on loan and I played no games - I played about an hour for the ressies, and then mid-December the manager said 'do you want to play' and I said 'yeah'.

"It is going to take time to get up to completely the way I felt a year and a half ago, but slowly I think I'm maybe getting there.”

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If McGeady’s performance continue in the vein we have seen in recent weeks, then the focus will soon turn to securing his long-term future at Sunderland.

The winger is one of a host of senior players out of contract in the summer and the man himself admits the decision is out of his hands, particularly while the Black Cats’ divisional status remains uncertain.

But having turned down opportunities to leave Wearside since the club’s drop into League One, McGeady admits he is happy at the club – and wants to continuing playing for Sunderland for ‘as long as he can’.

When quizzed on his future, the former Celtic man said: “It's not up to me.

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"The manager has mentioned to me that he sees that I've got two or three years left in me at this level or higher. I was playing last season in the Championship for Charlton and I'm not saying I ripped it up. but I felt I could still play there myself.

"My hope is to just carry on playing for Sunderland as long as I can. When I signed that extension over a year ago I could have left, but I like it here. I could have left in the summer, I probably should have left in the summer, but I thought the way things were going it was best to stick around, if you know what I mean.”