Having played just 45 minutes of soccer for Everton so far this season, and his place in Martin O'Neil's side in serious danger, the January transfer window is the last remaining lifeline for Aiden McGeady.
According to reports, Celtic are interested in bringing Aiden McGeady back to the club where his professional career took flight but McGeady will have to accept a major wage reduction in order for that to happen.
It's possible that Celtic boss Ronny Delia is agreeable to the idea of recruiting McGeady on a loan basis. But he explains why the wages that the €60,000 per week 29 year-old is currently on, cannot be provided at Celtic Park.
"We would not be able to pay the salary that McGeady is on at the moment. The difference is so unbelievably big that there is no chance. Our wage structure would be broken 10 times over if we did that. We have tried before to get that type of player, but they get three times the salary at other places."
In the past, Celtic made payment exceptions for players such as Roy and Robbie Keane and only players of a similar standard would be considered for the same level of treatment. Delia continues:
I liked a @YouTube video https://t.co/qLMAECK2V7 Aiden McGeady/Irish Magicâ—Best Skills & Goalsâ—
— Conall McNulty (@Conaldinho10) December 22, 2015
"I don't know what Dermot (Desmond) did before - you'd need to talk with him about that - but we'd need to have the opportunity to buy him (McGeady). That's an important thing for us.''
"Maybe with players like McGeady, who has been here before, when he reaches the end of his career he'll want to come back again.''
"That's possible but I haven't talked with him about that."
VIDEO: Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has a special Christmas message for all the Irish fans around the world - https://t.co/Jn3ILyBx2U
— FAI (@FAIreland) December 24, 2015
Irrespective of the wage discussions, McGeady needs more games if he wants to be an option for Martin O'Neill ahead of Euro 2016 in France. He lost his place in the latter phases of the qualifying campaign and Martin O'Neill, who gave McGeady his debut at Celtic, has spoken about this problem in the past.
Last month he said:
"People like McGeady have to play.He has the ability but Aiden's best games under me were when he was properly physically fit, having done a good pre-season with Everton.''
"This becomes an important issue. I can't go into the summer carrying players who've maybe played just two or three games.''
"From January on, there is no reason why players cannot be thinking about playing matches."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
