Celtic, Middlesbrough or the MLS?: What could be next for Aiden McGeady after Sunderland exile

Phil Parkinson has confirmed that the winger is free to leave the Stadium of Light having been banished from first team training, with an exit in the coming weeks likely.

But where could his next destination be? We take a look at some of the potential options:

SCOTLAND

A logical move for the winger, given he has ties to the country and knows the Scottish top flight well.

It would be a shock if there isn’t at least one rumour linking McGeady with Hibernian over the coming weeks. His strong relationship with Jack Ross was well-documented and the former Sunderland boss knows how to bring the best out of the winger.

Celtic, too, could be an option - and they would likely be one of the few sides able to afford his wages in Scotland. There would be doubts, however, over whether he would be regularly involved at Parkhead.

MLS

A number of American sides were believed to be keen on McGeady in the summer.

But only a few clubs have spots for overseas players available, meaning McGeady would be limited to joining one of FC Cincinatti, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Inter Miami, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, New York City, Orlando City, San Jose Earthquakes or Toronto FC.

But the wideman hinted in the summer that he was content in the North East of England - meaning a move overseas could well be off the cards.

“I am happy here and I am settled here,” he told safc.com.

“When you get to my age it’s not about other things. I looked at it from different points of view because there were other clubs interested in taking me but I didn’t want to entertain that.”

ENGLAND

Few clubs, if any, in League One could afford McGeady’s wages - meaning he would likely be looking at the Championship or higher.

But which second tier clubs would be keen on him?

Middlesbrough could be a logical option given their desire to add some extra experience to their ranks, while the likes of Wigan and Luton could also appeal.