Player Watch - Aiden McGeady

Aiden McGeady

Recent reports suggest Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is interested in signing Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady this summer and is closely monitoring the Irish international’s situation in the Russian capital. The former Celtic star has done well since his move to the Luzhniki Stadium in August but the 24 year old has also been linked to Zenit St Petersburg and Juventus amid reports that he could be sold if a significant offer was forthcoming.

McGeady cost Spartak £9.5m just over six months ago but apparently Juventus are willing to offer as much as £20m and it is clear that any sale sanctioned by the Moscow club will more likely be to a side not competing in their own league, hence a move to Zenit being highly unlikely.

Liverpool appear keen on adding more natural wide options having seen the likes of Maxi, Dirk Kuyt, Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole all fail to make an impact. Kenny Dalglish is thought to be looking for an out and out winger who can help provide ammunition for his new front pairing of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Aiden McGeady enjoyed six successful years at Celtic before making the brave move into the relative unknown and has become a player well rated by supporters and pundits alike but the Glasgow born wide man would surely be tempted by a move to the Premier League and to Liverpool in particular given the obvious links between the current boss and the Parkhead side.

Liverpool’s owners appear more than willing to finance significant moves in the transfer market and a move for McGeady, though expensive could well add another dimension to the club’s attack that could help the club push onwards and upwards next term.

In the Europa league Spartak Moscow stunned Ajax with a second half goal from Alex to put them in the control of a place in the last eight of the 2011 Europa League. However a four goal to nil defeat at Rostov at the weekend was a setback to the start of their season.

After eliminating Basle and winning at the Amsterdam Arena in the Europa League they should have been in a confident mood. 

Goalkeeper Andriy Dykan was the hero for the visitors with a string of saves to keep Ajax at bay although the home side’s finishing left a lot to be desired with the decisive goal arriving in the 57th minute when Alex brushed off a couple of challenges before drilling home a low shot from 20 yards out.

Despite holding a first leg lead Spartak cannot take anything for granted in the return leg as earlier this season in the Champions League they won 1-0 at Marseille only to lose 3-0 at home allowing the French side to qualify for the next stage.

McGeady is due to line out on Thursday for Spartak Moscow in the Europa League.