Former Celtic star, Aiden McGeady, recently expressed his thoughts about the potential move of Jota, the Celtic winger, to Saudi Arabia. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, McGeady opened up about the complex dynamics at play in such a decision, reflecting upon it with the wisdom of one who has navigated similar waters before.
“There’s two ways to look at it, Jota probably didn’t have any real loyalty to Celtic, did he?” began McGeady, setting the stage for a nuanced discussion on player loyalty and the pressure to optimize financial gains in the short-lived careers of footballers.
In 2010, McGeady himself was at the centre of a significant transfer when he made the move from Celtic to Spartak Moscow in the Russian league, a deal that was worth £9m. The move also saw a substantial increase in his wages, drawing parallels to the situation Jota finds himself in now.
“It’s a short career and some people look at it like ‘I’ll make as much money as I can’. But in my mind, I’d be thinking if you’re that good, the money will come to you eventually,” he continued. McGeady’s words highlight the tension between financial security and the chance to truly make a mark in one’s career.
McGeady also noted the youthfulness of Jota, saying, “I think he’s very young to be taking that step (to Saudi Arabia), it’s the established players just now who are going across there.” This implies an expectation for players to take their time, establish their careers, and gain experience before making such substantial moves.
Yet McGeady does understand the allure of the offer Jota may be receiving. “I can’t speak for Jota, he might be getting life-changing money and he’ll be thinking ‘I can’t turn it down’, and he probably can’t.”
Despite the understanding, there’s a clear note of regret in McGeady’s voice. “But I would’ve liked to see him stay at Celtic for another couple of years and then maybe try his lucky in the Premier League or somewhere else, and then that money that he’s getting just now would eventually come back to him.”
These candid insights from McGeady provide a fresh perspective on the decisions players like Jota have to face. It’s not just about the money – it’s about timing, career progression, and ultimately, the legacy they leave behind in the clubs they’ve been part of.
