SUNDERLAND MANAGER SIMON Grayson says Aiden McGeady has rediscovered his love for football after becoming disillusioned with the game during his time at Everton.
The Ireland winger, included in Martin O’Neill’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers today, scored his first goal for the Black Cats in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Norwich.
McGeady’s arrival at the Stadium of Light for a fee reported to be just £250,000 is already proving to be one of the deals of the summer, and Grayson admitted the 31-year-old was the first player he wanted to bring to Sunderland after leaving Preston.
“It is a snip when you consider we tried to buy him five years ago for £9 million,” Grayson said after the weekend’s game at Carrow Road, referring to Sunderland’s failed attempt to bring McGeady to the club back in 2012.
“He is a player that has immense ability. He fell out of love with the game before I took him to Preston last year. I let him express himself.
“His ability is as good as anyone I have worked with and he has fallen back in love with the game. He was my first port of call when I took over. I wanted to sign him. It took a few weeks to get done, but £250,000 is not a bad deal.”
Sunderland have made a bright start to life back in the Championship under new boss Grayson, with their opening two games yielding four points.
McGeady’s stunning long-range effort was the highlight of the dominant win over the Canaries, with the Irish international also providing the assist for the third goal, scored by Lewis Grabban.
“For me, I’m just delighted to get off to a good start,” McGeady said afterwards.
“Lewis [Grabban] and James [Vaughan] are perfect for me. For me to get the ball out wide, it’s great to know if I get half a yard with either foot I can put the ball in the box and those two will attack it.
“You saw with the third goal, it was a just a good ball in, the two lads were in there and Grabs got on the end of it.
“So far, the Celtic game aside, it has been promising and it can only get better. There’s more to come.”
On his goal, McGeady added: “I was expecting Catts [Cattermole] to volley it actually – he’s just played that disguised pass to me. I was caught a bit by surprise but just took a touch and caught it sweet.
“I’m comfortable shooting off my left. I scored a few like that last season, and I’m just delighted to get my first goal for Sunderland. The win is the main thing.”
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