On This Day (4th April 1986): Aiden McGeady, Sunderland Wing Wizard, Is Born

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Aiden McGeady of Sunderland celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Checkatrade Trophy Final between Sunderland AFC and Portsmouth FC at Wembley Stadium on March 31, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images I have loved many wingers at Sunderland AFC. I used to play on the right wing at school and beyond.

As I got older, and knew that I couldn’t manage the turn of speed that any good winger needs, I still couldn’t help myself hugging the touchline. So a good winger has always caught my eye. I don’t have to think very hard – Stan Cummins (my favourite), Leighton James, Chris Waddle, Dennis Tueart, Billy Hughes, Nicky Summerbee, Magic Johnston, Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts and many more.

Then there’s Aiden McGeady. Of all the wingers I’ve mentioned, and the more I missed out that didn’t roll off my tongue – there was none as amazing as Mr McGeady. Born on 4 April 1986 in Rutherglen, Scotland, of Irish/Scottish descent, he arrived at the Stadium of Light, after an already illustrious career, in 2017.

He made 141 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring 40 goals, before eventually leaving us in 2022 for Hibs. He played 93 times for the Republic of Ireland, from 2004 to 2017. McGeady started his career with Celtic in 2004, at the age of 18, making 200 appearances, winning four league titles and three cup trophies.