St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin has admitted Jamie McGrath could leave the club for free with Sheffield United and Premier League newcomers Watford both keen, speaking to the Scottish Sun.
Poor old Stephen Kenny.
The Dundalk legend embarked on the most noble of quests when replacing Mick McCarthy as head coach of the Republic of Ireland national team, determined to get a side that eschewed entertainment for efficiency playing the sort of football more usually associated with La Masia than Limerick.
Unfortunately, introducing tika-taka and rondos to a side containing the likes of Shane Duffy feels like trying to run the Grand National on a highland cow.
At least, in McGrath, Kenny has a lock-picking attacking midfielder capable of providing the ammunition for the purposeful but profligate Aaron Connolly in the final third.
McGrath, in short, is one of the few players in the ROI set-up perfectly suited to playing ‘Kenny-ball’.
Sheffield United and Watford eye Jamie McGrath
26-year-old McGrath caught the eye of Sheffield United and Watford during the final few weeks of the transfer window and an “outstanding” performance in Ireland’s courageous 2-1 defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal last week will have done his chances of a big break no harm at all (Mirror).
“There was serious interest in him – I’m delighted he’s still here,” Goodwin says before admitting McGrath could leave on a free when his deal expires in July.
“Jamie would be well within his rights if he signed a pre-contract with another club in January.
“Equally, if someone comes in with an outrageous bid for him we’d need to decide what’s best for all concerned. Ideally, we’d like to tie him down on a long-term contract but, realistically, that’s not going to happen.
“Last Wednesday, I watched him make his competitive Ireland debut in the 2-1 defeat in Portugal and he was outstanding. It wasn’t just that he set up John Egan’s goal to put Ireland in front, he was different class throughout.”
McGrath, who scored 17 goals and provided six assists last season, would have few problems adapting to the swashbuckling, forward-thinking style of football Slavisa Jokanovic is desperate to introduce at Sheffield United.
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