The Irish striker could have joined either side on loan from Sunderland.
Irish striker Roy O’Donovan has spoken if his regret at not making loan moves to Nottingham Forest or Leeds United in his career.
The 31-year-old has been speaking to The 42 about his chance to join both sides whilst at Sunderland earlier in his career.
He admitted a tinge of regret at not joining either Forest or Leeds in his career, as both clubs are so big.
O’Donovan, who never received an international cap, believes being at Leeds or Forest may have helped him in that regard:
“I turned down some good loan moves for very honest reasons, which was maybe silly because I could be sitting here now with 20 or 30 Ireland caps if I had made different choices.
Roy O’Donovan at Blackpool
“I went to Dundee United when I could have gone to Nottingham Forest. I went to Blackpool when I could have gone to Leeds.
“If I went to Forest or Leeds my CV would have looked stronger, it’s easier to get bigger clubs after that and you’re more in the spotlight to get into the Irish team. But my thinking was always about playing as often as I could so that I could score goals and then get a chance to make an impression when I went back to Sunderland.”
Instead he had relatively forgetful loan spells at Dundee United and Blackpool – so Forest and Leeds fans will not feel they missed out on much.
Nowadays the Irish striker is playing his football in Australia with the Central Coast Mariners after an impressive spell in Singaporean football.
George McCartney (L) – West Ham United and Roy O’Donovan – Sunderland
He has found his form in Australia as well, scoring goal of the season last term and being the side’s top-scorer during his first season at the club.
The form he is currently in would certainly be welcome at Forest or Leeds at present, but neither side would be likely to make a move for him now.
Unfortunately for O’Donovan the chance to play for a team of this calibre may have passed for good.
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