The stunning Aiden McGeady record that shows why Lee Johnson was right to bring him in from the cold at Sunderland

It was the kind of pass that few players in League One would have seen, let alone executed to such perfection.
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As Aiden McGeady bamboozled his marker with a fine piece of skill inside the Sunderland half, he saw the space.

A perfectly weighted-pass followed and in seconds, the Black Cats had gone from a situation with little promise to a one-on-one situation.

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The only disappointing factor of the move was that Lynden Gooch – who was on the end of the pass and subsequently burst into the box – was denied by Ellery Balcombe, meaning McGeady’s fine ball was deprived of the finish it deserved.

The stunning Aiden McGeady record that shows why Lee Johnson was right to bring him in from the cold at SunderlandThe stunning Aiden McGeady record that shows why Lee Johnson was right to bring him in from the cold at Sunderland
The stunning Aiden McGeady record that shows why Lee Johnson was right to bring him in from the cold at Sunderland

But it was a moment archetypal of the winger's quality on an afternoon where he was a sheer joy to watch.

This was, as Lee Johnson described it post-match, vintage McGeady. He found pockets of space, caused Doncaster no-end of problems with his movement and was at the heart of everything good Sunderland did in the comprehensive and vital win.

The 34-year-old’s impact on the side is growing week-on-week, which is perhaps to be expected given how short of match fitness he was when thrust into the side back in December – five months since he had last played a first-team game.

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At MK Dons last weekend, McGeady was in fine form. But the Doncaster performance took things to another level.

His deliveries were sublime and exactly what an in-form striker in Charlie Wyke craves. McGeady puts the ball into the areas strikers dream of – and the duo seem to be building up a strong understanding having now had a consistent run of form together.

Now he’s approaching full fitness again, McGeady’s quality is really starting to show and his contributions are becoming more frequent.

And if there’s one statistic that proves his growing influence on the side, then it’s this one.

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McGeady already has eight assists to his name this season – meaning only one player in League One has provided more goals than him this season.

That player is George Honeyman, who has made 26 appearances and provided nine assists. McGeady has made 12 appearances and set-up eight goals.

It’s a stunning record, and one which you’d back the Sunderland man to increase as the season progresses.

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