Aiden McGeady chose not to honour a modern football tradition that is a total bore.
The Ireland winger enjoyed a fine time of it at Preston North End last season. Loaned out from Everton, McGeady quickly became a fan favourite at Deepdale as he chipped in with a hatful of assists and crucial goals.
He was named on the Championship Team of the Season and looked to have found a home, and his level. He had all the adoration he could have ever needed.
And still, he moved on.
Preston could not match Sunderland’s salary offer and, once Simon Grayson left the club to take over at the Black Cats, McGeady opted to move to the Stadium of Light. Preston fans were gutted but, almost to a man and woman, they wished the Scot well.
He returned to Deepdale this afternoon and, after receiving some jeers from sections of the home support and robust challenges from P.N.E defenders, struck with the equaliser in a 2-2 draw. As McGeady goals go, it was A-typical. Cutting in, low drive, bottom corner.
McGeady! pic.twitter.com/QNboVK7CPq
— SunderlandRed (@sunderlandred) September 30, 2017
But that was not what drew the ire of the Preston fans.
McGeady turned on his heels – and turned heel – by sprinting straight down to the 3,000 Sunderland fans crammed into the away end, screaming all the way.
These were his new fans. This was his goal for his team.
It was akin to the infamous Emmanuel Adebayor celebration after scoring for Manchester City against former club Arsenal. Needless to say, it elicited a strong reaction. There is some vile stuff out there but here was a more measured yet still unhappy take on his celebration:
Just lost every last bit of respect for Aiden McGeady.
— Marcel (@SOM038) September 30, 2017
Strange that PNE fans booed McGeady, classless celebration from him after his goal. Such is life. All in all, disappointing result #pnefc
— David 💙 (@BeckerDJ) September 30, 2017
The technical definition of what Aiden McGeady did is a three-quarters Adebayor.
Not a popular man inside Deepdale
— Adam Lord (@AdamLordMW) September 30, 2017
Poor first half, much better in 2nd half! if on or Browne’s shot had gone in! Lost respect for Mcgeady after that celebration! #pnefc
— Karl Murch (@Karlos_Albertos) September 30, 2017
Lack of class in my book deserves the same as McGeady got
— Nick Mahon (@NickPNE) September 30, 2017
Hero to his new team’s supporters. Not welcome in Preston for the next while.
Can’t please everyone.
