Aidan McGeady(Co. Donegal Descendant )

Aiden McGeady was tipped as a future football star since he was selected for the Under 11 Glasgow Catholic Football School select team at the age of seven. He went to Our Lady of the Missions Primary school and followed on to St Ninian's Secondary School, just a few hundred yards away, in the south side of Glasgow. For a short spell in his young teens, McGeady played for the famous amateur club Queen's Park F.C., before the club allowed him to move to the team he supported, Celtic F.C.

McGeady went onto captain Glasgow Catholic Schools, and played alongside now Celtic teammate Mark Wilson. McGeady was tracked by many top teams in England and Scotland, with both Alex Ferguson and Liam Brady making personal pleas for the youngster to join Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. He has been described as the most coveted schoolboy footballer in the UK. He signed a lucrative boot deal with Adidas at the age of only sixteen.

Aidan McGeady made his Celtic debut as an18 year old on the 25th of April 2004, scoring a stunning goal against Hearts in a 1-1 draw in a League match.

Aidan, an attacking midfield player, was born in Rutherglen, with his grandparents being from Gweedore. His grandmother, Kitty 'Tim' McGeady lives in Bunaniver while his late grandfather, Patrick was from Glasagh.

He represented Scotland at a secondary school international tournament in Paris against Brazil, Argentina and England before France 98 while still at primary school, and officials at the Scottish Schools Football Association (SSFA) were frustrated that later on Celtic wouldn't let the St Ninian 's High School pupil play for their under-15 side, but did eventually allow him to play for an Irish team at the same age level. Both Liam Brady and Pat Bonner had tipped off Brian Kerr, who masterminded their youth set-up before being promoted to managing the full national side, about McGeady's potential, and Donegal heritage.

The youngster's sparkling debut centred on that Ronaldinho-style trick. It was a moment which summed up the confidence McGeady displayed throughout his 69-minute run-out, and it led, inevitably, to headlines hailing 'Aidaninho.'

Aidan made his full Ireland debut in the close season of 2004, with substitute appearance against Jamaica in the Unity cup.

Since making his début, aged 18, McGeady has picked up the following awards:

• December 2004 - SPL Player of the Month
• Season 2004/05 - Celtic Young Player of the Year
• November 2005 - SPL Young Player of the Month
• Season 2005/06 - Celtic Young Player of the Year
• August 2006 - SPL Young Player of the Month
• September 2006 - SPL Young Player of the Month