Sheffield Wednesday: New recruit backed to make Owls impact

Aiden McGeady, right, shakes hands with Scott Arfield

That is the view of Barry Bannan after seeing McGeady make his Owls debut in their draw with Burnley in midweek.

McGeady, on loan from Everton until the end of the campaign, came on as a late substitute. It was only the Republic of Ireland international’s second appearance at club level this term.

“Aiden is a bit similar to Hoops [Gary Hooper],” Bannan told The Star.

“He’s got that little bit of extra magic which can win you games.

“He has not played a lot of games but once he gets up to the speed of things I think he will be a real danger in our team.”

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Bannan believes McGeady’s arrival underlines how ambitious Wednesday are as they look to end their 16-year top-flight exile.

He said: “It’s a big, big signing for us. Aiden has obviously come from a top team in the Premier League. He has got great pedigree.

“We have also signed Joe Bennett, Jack Hunt and Hoops so it is only going to add to the competition we have got here.

“It keeps everyone on their toes and shows that we are really giving it (promotion) a go.”

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The midfielder claims the Owls should have secured maximum points versus third-placed Burnley.

“It’s two points dropped rather than a point gained,” said Bannan, who recently agreed a new long-term contract with the Hillsborough outfit. “We got caught sleeping early doors and they scored early on.

“We didn’t come out of the traps the way we wanted to. But after their goal, I think we were in control of the game and they didn’t really have any chances.

“We just lacked that cutting edge in the end to score the winner.”

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