---
title: "Sunderland: Kevin Phillips believes Black Cats have League One’s best player"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-kevin-phillips-praise-mcgeady-best-player-league-one/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Features"
published: "2020-09-14T15:40:33Z"
modified: "2020-09-14T15:40:33Z"
---

# Sunderland: Kevin Phillips believes Black Cats have League One’s best player

**Former Sunderland player Kevin Phillips has [claimed](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-phillips-reacts-as-best-player-in-league-issues-celtic-come-get-me-plea/) that Aiden McGeady is the best player in League and called on Celtic to sign the winger.**

With the new League One season underway as the Black Cats drew with Bristol Rovers at the weekend, McGeady has been training with the club’s under-23 side and was [left out of Phil Parkinson’s EFL squad](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/18686242.sunderland-make-decisions-arbenit-xhemajli-aiden-mcgeady/).

The [92-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aiden-mcgeady/nationalmannschaft/spieler/21333/verein_id/3509) Republic of Ireland international is back at the club following his loan spell with Charlton Athletic last term, returning to the Stadium of Light this summer with one-year remaining on his current deal.

The [£653,000-valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aiden-mcgeady/profil/spieler/21333) winger’s future is now very much a talking point with McGeady revealing on [The Go Radio Football Show on Go Radio (5pm, September 7, 2020)](https://thisisgo.co.uk/shows/the-go-radio-football-show/), as transcribed by [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6017745/celtic-mcgeady-return-lennon/), that he would welcome a move to Celtic, where he [began his professional career.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aiden-mcgeady/transfers/spieler/21333)

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Phillips, who discusses various Sunderland talking points via [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-phillips-reacts-as-best-player-in-league-issues-celtic-come-get-me-plea/), has now given his thoughts on the winger’s future. He said:

*“When Aiden McGeady is on top of his game he is by far the best player in the league.*

*“It is just whether he can be that influence on the pitch and off it. There has been talk of him perhaps digging a few people out in the dressing room and you do not want a bad egg in the dressing room.*

*“I am not sure if Celtic would take him back. I think Neil Lennon is looking at other options. For the player, to go back there would probably be a dream for him.”*

During his time at Sunderland, McGeady has featured in [98 games, scoring 27 goals and supplying 13 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aiden-mcgeady/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/21333) in the process for his teammates.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Phillips’ comments may strike a chord with many Sunderland fans and you have to wonder just why Parkinson has such a problem with handing McGeady a chance in the first team.

A move away from Wearside does look likely, though, and it seems that the sooner the better for the ostracised winger.

***Do you think McGeady should be given a chance to play for Sunderland this term? Let us know in the comments section below…***