Sheffield Wednesday: Smooth transition for new Owls recruit

To say Ross Wallace and Aiden McGeady's friendship goes back a long way would be an understatement.
Aiden McGeadyAiden McGeady
Aiden McGeady

A little over a decade ago, the wing merchants came through the ranks together at Scottish heavyweights Celtic.

Fresh from making his first Owls start in their triumph at Birmingham City, McGeady says he is happy to be reunited with his former room-mate.

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McGeady, drafted in on loan from Premier League outfit Everton last week, told The Star: “Ross has been a good player for a number of years and done well since coming here.

“I know him really well as I came through at Celtic with him in the youth team. He used to be my room-mate!”

Given Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal is a big believer in squad rotation, McGeady is acutely aware he and Wallace will have to consistently hit top form if they are to retain their starting spots out wide.

“Competition doesn’t bother me at all,” he stressed. “It is part and parcel of football.

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“Ross plays on the right but I think the manager fancies me for the left but he knows I can play on either side. Competition is healthy and you will always get that at big clubs.”

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Wallace is not the only member of Wednesday’s squad McGeady knows. Captain Glenn Loovens is a familiar face from their days together at Celtic as well as fellow Republic of Ireland international Keiren Westwood.

McGeady admitted: “It’s good knowing some familiar faces. It is great walking into a dressing room and not having to make small talk with everyone.”

Westwood sustained head and neck injuries in an accidental collision with Tom Lees at St Andrew’s last weekend. As a precautionary measure, the experienced goalkeeper was taken to hospital but the 31-year-old could be available for selection for Saturday’s Hillsborough engagement with mid-table Brentford.

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Westwood has earned 17 caps for the Republic and McGeady believes the former Sunderland shot-stopper would have won more for his country had he been troubled less by injuries.

“In my opinion, Keiren is the best keeper in this league,” he said. “He has been unlucky with Ireland because he’s had injuries at times where if he had been fit he might have been number one but he’s a quality keeper.”