Aiden McGeady Celtic and Ireland

Footage of McGeady as a boy and interviews with him and his father. The REAL reason why McGeady chose to play for Ireland.

[@WhenNYWasIrish]

McGeady's a legend. Support him with Celtic and Ireland 100%.

[@Andybhoy1973]

Just been voted player of the year and young player of the year by his fellow professionals....well done young man!

[@Muher1]

"A strong Irish heritage passed down from father to son." Father = Born in Scotland Son = Born in Scotland At least the good looks have been passed from father to son. A couple of gargoyles!

[@IainMcDbhoy]

As well as McGeady's family connections, his mentor Pat Bonner was a major factor in his development in Ireland and to be honest if he's within the rules to play for Ireland then it's his right to choose. Scotland have called up players that have never set foot in this country and nobody bats an eyelid. If the guy wants to play for Ireland then good luck to him. It's unlikely he'd have been inspired by the dismal teams of Roxburgh and Brown he watched while growing up. That was my simple point.

[@IainMcDbhoy]

The present Scotland squad is packed with players not quite at the top level in club terms hence there are so many English accents in there. The first Scotland side I watched was packed with superstars who were winning European trophies every year and we had a charismatic leader in Ally McLeod. At the same age, Aiden would have been watching Roxburgh and Brown steering us to safety as opposed to playing passionate, entertaining football. No wonder he wasn't inspired to be a Scotland fan.

[@Kkardemumma]

McGeady has one of those rare faces even a mother can't love.

[@whitemanGOD]

no problem, i always try and help out the less fortunate!!!

[@whitemanGOD]

i suppose acting smart on sites like this makes you feel better about your life, after years of being bullied your getting your own back, bravo!

[@facemonkeys]

how much would people pay for limited edition prints of original artwork of Aiden McGeady? They would be signed by the artist and Aiden. 50-100 available. Prints of artwork that was commissioned for his home. any feedback would be great.

[@clanntara]

..and McGeady has NEVER said that he RESENTED the land of his birth. All he did was prefer to play for the country of his forefathers rather than his grandparents adopted home.

[@tearlach45]

That aside anyway, the SFA never came close to approaching aiden mcgeady about playing for scotland, he wasnt even asked to paly for scotland

[@peacefrog1916]

its up to hiself who he plays for. as a celtic and scotland supporter obviously i would've loved to see him play for scotland.

[@IainMcDbhoy]

No one berates Rod Stewart for his love of Scotland's national team. He's accepted with open arms yet he's about as Scottish as jellied eels and mash. McGeady wants to play for Ireland - so what? When he was growing up and first started watching football, Scotland were a joke so it's no wonder he grew up supporting Ireland. From this clip it's clear he has a genuine bond with Ireland anyway.

[@Mozza1873]

Most people with even a small knowledge of British football were well aware of who Steven Davis was. He was player of the year at Villa and Fulham paid over £4M for him in the summer. Now, we all know that a price tag doesn't make a player - just look at Scott Brown - but Davis has a good reputation and has impressed thus far. You don't seem to know who he is so can't really tell if he is a reject or not anyway. They didn't reject him but as I said previously don't let the truth spoil a lie.

[@IainMcDbhoy]

I tend to agree. I'm a Celtic fan from a protestant family - my grandad took me to Ibrox when I was 8 and I felt totally alienated by the venom of the Rangers crowd. Even if McGeady simply wanted to play for a better side than Scotland, well he's good enough so it's his right to choose. He's more chance of playing in major tournaments with Ireland so as a professional, he'd be crazy not to. I'll still support Scotland against Ireland though!

[@Kkardemumma]

Clever comeback! Go and have a wash. Top of the league!

[@pxe]

He's a slightly above average SPL standard winger who wouldn't have anywhere near as big a reputation if it weren't for the Scotland/Ireland thing.

[@ryaner1888]

Keep politics out of football and Celtic!! McGeady is a brillant player and will be one of irelands best players in a few years!

[@Mozza1873]

In that scenario the child would be eligible for both Scotland and China. McGeady has Scottish parents and was himself born in Scotland so should, in my opinion, only be eligible for Scotland. My whole issue with this is the grandparent rule as I think it is a rather tenuous link. The rule is in place and McGeady is entitled to use it but I would much rather he had chosen to play for Scotland.

[@whitemanGOD]

NEWS FLASH: aiden mcgeady has shocked all by deciding to play for italy, he had a ham and pineapple pizza at the weekend and thought it was great.

[@roob67]

I wish he had chosen Scotland but its his life. I wish he was a Rangers player too though! Fantastic player, there is a real buzz when he is on the ball. Good luck Aiden

[@kevinwhorgan]

you call him a traitor yet in your eyes he'd never be anything else than a "fenian"

[@fraserio]

this is the funniest comment tht i have ever read on youtube. and i thank you for tht.

[@clanntara]

Fair play to you Aiden. I was born in Scotland of Irish parents but have never considered myself Scottish. In fact one of the proudest moments of my life was when my Irish Passport dropped through the letterbox! Éireann Go Bragh.

[@tearlach45]

what about tom mckechnie who works in the coaching staff for the english national team, he doesnt see mto get any stick does he? And for your infromation, Aiden McGeasy has pure irish blood in him, he doesnt have one scottish ancestor. Both his Mum and dads parents are direct descendants of Ireland.

[@jaysea32]

Hey Aiden. What was the score tonight? Haha get it up ye. Born and bred in Scotland. Educated in Scotland. Yet turns his back on Scotland because he happened to spend every summer holiday in Ireland. What a joke.

[@flooberbloob]

what are you so bitter about? Scotland ignored him as a schoolboy and Ireland wanted him. How many players opt for Scotland over Ireland? none. Fucking none. Why? Because the Scottish FA is a joke.

[@jaysea32]

***** i agree with almost everything you said there mate. Except one thing. You know how you mention the plastic paddy thing and Celtic fans? Well im a Celtic fan and yes i really like the Irish. But im a Scotland fan and was delighted we beat the Irish. And i hate Mcgeady with a passion. Im saying that lots of Celtic fans love Scotland. We arent all plastic Paddys as you put it. I hate that stereotype about us.

[@flooberbloob]

bitter twats contradicting yourselves.

[@stevensmith5062]

He is ethnically Irish.

[@tearlach45]

I honestly couldnt care less, i would say good luck to him, he would getting a better chance of improving his game down in england than in scotland, but i also think nothing would be said of it, i think the rangers fans would acept it, but they cant seem to accept he plays for ireland, perhaps its just down to bigotry, or racism of the irish.

[@kez1979]

He's a celtic fan because of Irish heritage, and to quote his father, "his deep and unerring love for Ireland." So given that, how would he not be a Celtic fan (or play for Ireland)?

[@Mozza1873]

Nobody said it didn't have relevance the question was one of how far back in history do we go before it becomes too far back to sing about. Having said that, The Fields of Athenry doesn't specifically relate to Celtic in the same way that the "songs from 300 years ago", presumably The Sash and Derry's Walls, don't relate to Rangers.

[@whitemanGOD]

NEWS FLASH: aiden mcgeady has now turned his back on italy and decided to play for the usa after discovering a ham and pineapple pizza is called a hawaiian.

[@265massey265]

so is he irish or scottish? plz answer

[@cluch9]

jist for the huns who seem to think there bein smart mcgeady couldnt play for scotland because he didnt play football through the schools, and you needed to to play for scotland so, the irish team asked him and he jumped on it

[@tearlach45]

actually its because the sfa never approached him to play for scotland where as pat bonner DID approach him to play for ireland, its a no brainer really.

[@Mozza1873]

I have heard this rubbish before as well. He chose to play for Ireland because the FAI approached him first. There are two points I would make about that. The first is that I find it incredibly arrogant for someone who was a schoolboy at the time to expect to be considered by any national side. The second is that McGeady played and was coached in Scotland so presumably more time went into him from Scotland.

[@Mozza1873]

To my knowledge they all had at least one Scottish parent and spent more than their summer holidays in Scotland.

[@darionothree]

he was born in scotland but had irish grand parents so he decided to play with ireland

[@220773]

Dear laddie, I'd sure have him learn how to speak English and tae know about Scottie, and tae be proud of it, but I don't think that would ever take away from him his Italian upbringing. He would always have a soft spot for Scotland, but he'd still be an Italian through and through. Local culture matters much more than blood to me, that's it, ye ken...

[@tadgerno1]

was mcgeady ever asked to play for scotland?either at schoolboy level or under 21's,etc.

[@Mozza1873]

McGeady's comments about spending his summers in Ireland are laughable. I spent my summer holidays in Spain but it never made me feel like I wanted to play football for their national team. Aiden McGeady is about as Irish as a chicken chow mein.

[@Mozza1873]

When was Quashie approached by England? Do you have proof of this? I don't think McGeady is shite, it is fairly obvious that he would get in to the Scotland squad.

[@jaysea32]

im a catholic,a celtic fan and i happen to like the irish people,accent etc.I also appreciate their love of celtic! However it annoys me that mcgeady turned his back on scotland and it has put me off him a bit.if i wasnt a celt i would hate him. im dissapointed in james mccarthy aswell! SCOTLAND FOREVER!!!!

[@tearlach45]

So is quashie a turncoat as well then?

[@no1platoon]

where in ireland is catlemilk?

[@Mozza1873]

Why should I? I grew up idolising a cosmopolitan Rangers side and the last thing on my mind was the religion of the players. I didn't choose to support Rangers because of a signing policy they may have had and I certainly don't feel any guilt because of it or a need to apologise for it.

[@mandymcpake]

Oh My God ... Why everyone getting on at the poor guy . Im scottish but guess what its his choice . hecan play for who he likes , whatever makes him happy .

[@whitemanGOD]

well said

[@Mozza1873]

If he was born in Scotland then he would be part Scottish. Any children he subsequently had would be Scottish.

[@Mozza1873]

McGeady hasn't been hounded out of Scotland but if you want to draw comparisons why don't you tell me what you think would happen if a Scottish player playing for Rangers chose to play for England?

[@Drekster1]

McGeady is without doubt the most talented of the young scots coming through the system today. Although I wish him well playing for Ireland I think it's tragic that Scotland (who are crying out for a World-Class player) has lost its most talented youngster to another national football side. But then when he had the chance to go to Ireland we were managed by Bert Vogts & getting gubbed by crap sides, so who can really blame him for going? Scotland will bounce back though (and already are).

[@kerry12345]

Aiden on 1 wing and Shaun on the other wing BRING IT ON HUNS!

[@TheMikeyReilly]

@OneBillyTurner I don't remember Big Billy the Orangeman in the Bible. And Reilly, well, ignoring the fact it is one of the oldest surnames in Ireland, you're right. It is "LoL"able.

[@BoratHIGHFIVE11]

People,within reason of course,should be allowed play for whatever country the feel is theirs and not have to put up with the abuse mcgeady and mccathy are getting

[@tadgerno1]

gough,goram and mccall all played for scotland!so whats the problem with mcgeady playing for ireland?

[@Mozza1873]

Henrik Larsson was a Feyenoord reject and went on to be one of your best ever players. Davis isn't a Fulham reject anyway, he played in most of their games this season but don't let the truth get in the way of a good lie.

[@clanntara]

I must admit to having a chuckle at this comment. Identity crisis!!! Pot and Kettle comes to mind here. Please explain the association between the hordes who rampage around Europe following RFC bedecked in their engerlund tops, swathed in the flag of St.George chanting their english world war battle hymns and songs referring to events that took place in Ireland over 300 years ago... not forgetting the english anthem that promotes THE CRUSHING of SCOTS!

[@azertyuiop32]

everyone knows why mcgeady chose ireland- religion. if he came out and admitted that id respect the guy more.

[@220773]

"glasgow celtic? where in ireland is glasgow?" Sandtopper mate, you DO have a point!!!

[@scottfantana]

his grandad is irish.. thats more of a reason to play for ireland than most of the 'scottish' players hu hav playd for scotland in the past. james morrison has done the same, no problem there?

[@Brenho]

So am I. I would play for Scotland and consider myself to be. Even though my da is irish.

[@Mozza1873]

McGeady chose to play for Ireland because he thought it would win him brownie points with fellow Celtic fans who have smilar identity crises.

[@220773]

That's exactly what I mean. I'm no bigot, never been, I have loads of Celtic friends, but let me tell you I cannae understand why Scotland always comes second for them.

[@Mozza1873]

You seem to have missed the point. McGeady does not have Irish parents, he was not born in Ireland and he had never lived in Ireland.

[@petma8280]

Mauro Camoranesi doesn't get any grief so neither should Aidenn

[@wonjubhoy]

Aiden mcgeady got to play in 2 major competitions for the republic of Ireland. Scotland qualified for nothing when Mcgeady played for Ireland.

[@djedd23]

so what if be was born in glasgow... shaun maloney was born in malaysia... anyone remember stuart mccall, he was born in England and sounds bloody english but he chose to play for scotland cos of scottish family. it's well known people only bring up mcgeady because they hate the irish, catholics, or celtic, and because he's bloody good.

[@peterkirk123]

if you are born in a stable it dosent make you a horse

[@antokane]

think you will find they are called the celtic football club

[@glens1690]

he must have gone home! he must have gone home! we can't see Mcgeady he must have gone home!!!!!!

[@220773]

Shake hands mate, I'm half-Italian!!! Aye, half-Italian half-Scot, living in Italy (Rome), so where do you hail from exactly? Don't tell me you're from Tuscany, I know many Italian Scots are from there, just like Paolo Nutini, there's a town here in Italy named Barga where we have a huge Scottish community (Nutini must be from there too)... Ciao!

[@whitemanGOD]

no, i just wanted to hear why he decided to play for ireland, now i know!

[@scottfantana]

dont no y people complain he choose ireland over scotland considerin his dads half irish.. think bout the amount of english players hu playd 4 scotland!! quashie, sullivan, hutchison, matteo.. only reason theres an outcry is simply bcos he plays 4 celtic n hes a better player than most of the scotland team. aiden shud take it as a compliment bout the amount of ignorant people hu care wat national team he pikd.

[@TheRamajamers]

@jaguarclaw Mc geady's grandparents were Irish. Ireland has a population of 4 million people, and emigration is a part of life, so Ireland need to use the grandparent rule to their advantage. The guy is pictured in this video at 9 years of age in an Ireland shirt. As a kid he spent ever summer in Donegal, so how can you say he has no Irish connection whatsoever?

[@kevinwhorgan]

how can anyone of you call him a traitor when its clear from the video he never gave his allegiance to scotland in the first place?

[@fraserio]

this is true, i looked it up

[@tearlach45]

wot u talkin about quasie was actually approached by engladn to play for them and he turned it down to play for scotland instead, most of u mcgeady haters think he shite anyway so why do u care he picked irealnd over scotland, the same thing u think the enlgish fans think quasie is shite.

[@220773]

Nae, he's from Glasgow and you know it.

[@monkjack1986]

where do either he or his dad say they dont like the country of scotland

[@kez1979]

Aberdeen. That must be fun.

[@Mozza1873]

Why would Scottish fans complain about it? The English don't care about it because he isn't good enough. I will repeat - if you think the Scottish public would react well to a top Scottish player choosing to play for England they would get pelters and a lot more than McGeady gets.

[@tearlach45]

i meant 'mcgeady' the name is irish and nothing else.

[@tearlach45]

Try looking into the facts before making judgments. AIden as a school boy was approached by arsenal, man utd and celtic. The FIA had also been looking at him, where as the SFA didnt even approach him, so Pat Bonner said to him, "why dont you come over for a trial to Ireland", not being approached by Scotland aiden had every right to go over to ireland. the SFA completely ignored aiden, how can u play for a team that doesnt approach you????

[@Mozza1873]

That's where you're wrong. I am neither bigotted nor anti-Irish. Ireland is a beautiful country and I have met several Irish people who I have found to be charming people. Accusing people of bigotry is the easy way out and suggests you don't want to deal with the facts. My problem is with people who seem to resent their country of birth for no tangible reason. That cannot possibly be described as bigotry.

[@Mozza1873]

What I am saying is that a Scot born to Scottish parents in Scotland can only be called Scottish. If you are saying he is 100% Irish why don't you look further back into his parentage if you are so concerned about "purity of blood."

[@220773]

You definitely have a point. I was born to love my country, not to switch to another one... Your Catholic William Wallace wouldnae allow you Tims tae do like this Mr McGeady did. REMEMBER.

[@antokane]

He spent every summer in Ireland, as his father did. That's why. Dead Scottish name he has too...

[@tearlach45]

if he had chosen to play uruguay he wouldnt have got any bother.

[@TheRamajamers]

@jaguarclaw I am fairly sure he is Irish as I saw him do a few tricks against Macedonia the other night haha! He wouldnt exist without his Irish grandparents and if his grandparents hadn't moved to Scotland all those years ago he would have been raised in Ireland! COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN

[@pxe]

lol, it doesn't matter what he 'considers himself'... if that mattered a damn, most the Old Firm fans would be Irish or Northern Irish. He's Scottish, fact.

[@StoodStill]

Seriously? you'd play for scotland over ireland? Nah suppose he doesnt regret it, he's a gr8 player and can do what he wants i suppose, gd luck to him.

[@220773]

I didnae like having Stuart McCall in the Army, I always wondered how could a Yorkshire man feel Scottish... I don't like Rod Stewart speaking Cockney and say he's a Scot when he grew up in Holloway. Remember when you Irish had a Cockney (Townshend), a Glaswegian (Houghton), a Tyke (McCarthy) and a Scouse (Aldridge) playing along true Irish men like say Staunton? Did you feel it was natural? Did you like to hear them speak for you in interviews?

[@HassanUmer]

@222macgregor Excuse my ignorance,but I've read that Celtic has been a club with predominantly Irish roots? Why would it matter, anyway. The current people of Scotland originally came from Ireland, a couple thousand years ago when they drove out the Picts, around the same time when the Anglo-Saxons drove out the Brythons. Or am I mistaken? Don't mind my ingorance, I'm merely a third world country dweller, so enlighten me as to why you would feel embarassed.

[@clanntara]

You didn't answer the question!

[@tearlach45]

Well lets just say Robbie Keane, or Roy Keane had scottish grand parents and had decided to paly for scotland instead of ireland, would you have made a fuss about that?

[@TheMikeyReilly]

@baldricksheep Not sad at all. You should be proud of your Irish heritage. You bring shame to the Fenian name. I'm Fenian and proud.

[@Mozza1873]

Well he is, he is Scottish. By your standards if someone moves to another country their descendants retain that nationality - this is absurd.

[@Mozza1873]

What about England?

[@clanntara]

It is still officialy part of the anthem that you and your ilk who purport to be patriotic Scots take great delight in singing. As for England being part of the UK then yes you are right but similarly Ireland is also still regarded as being part of the british isles so just what then is your problem with McGeady playing for a team from those same isles?

[@baldricksheep]

Im of Irish catholic descent, and am proud of my irish ancestors, but Im born in Scotland, I feel 1000% scottish and dont feel in a slightest Irish. I dont understand folk like the mcgeadys one bit. If pakistanis, irish, italians etc... dont want to feel Scottish after being here for 3 generations, then they know where they can go. I want Scotland to be a multicultural society, with everyone accepted, but why do folk born here to scottish born parents not feel scottish? Very sad...

[@kevinwhorgan]

i'm sure there's other reasons bud.i lived in new york with a lad from scotland who followed ireland because he went along to hampden with his father to watch a game and was surrounded by people shouting anti catholic and anti irish abuse any time a celtic player touched the ball.after that the only internationals he said he watvhed were ours

[@tearlach45]

Why not he has every right, his grand parents are scottish are you telling me that if quashie scored a wonder goal that won scotland a game, you wouldnt cheer, because you think he shouldnt play for scotland??