First Aid for PNE!

Aiden McGeady wearing the skipper's armband against Rotherham on Saturday

At the end of a 14th season as a professional, McGeady got the armband for the first time in North End’s final home of the campaign.

The 31-year-old enjoyed the responsibility, and said that admitting to not being the loudest on the pitch had probably prevented him doing the job before.

McGeady told the Post: “I have played nearly 90 games for the Republic of Ireland and never captained them, it was the same at Celtic.

“I’m not massively vocal on the park or in the dressing room but if I think something needs saying, I will say it.

“I suppose that it was my experience the gaffer wanted last Saturday and I was more than happy to do it.”

Skipper Tom Clarke and vice-captain John Welsh are both long-term absentees, while Paul Gallagher missed the Rotherham game through suspension.

Gallagher is back for the visit to Wolves on Sunday and it remains to be seen who will skipper the side at Molineux.

North End manger Simon Grayson explained part of his thinking was to show the club’s appreciation to McGeady for what he has done in his time on loan from Everton.

He is keen to bring him back next season for a second spell at Deepdale.

Said Grayson: “When we were discussing the team last Friday, I half-jokingly talked about the captaincy with him.

“Aiden said he had never been captain at any of his clubs in his career.

“I just thought it was a great opportunity for us to show how much we think of him.

“People might have looked into it and wondered if that was that his farewell appearance. e are trying to bring him back, let’s be clear about that. He is an Everton player and we have to respect that.

“Two key factors are that I think he wants to come and we want him to come back. We need a third one and that is Everton wanting it to happen.”

McGeady has made 32 starts and two appearances as a substitute since joining Preston at the end of August, scoring eight goals.

On Sunday, he was named North End’s player of the year.

Prior to that, he had played once for Everton in 12 months, spending the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

While PNE have finished their home matches for this season, Deepdale will be in use on Saturday.

It is hosting the Preston Schools’ Cup Finals, seven games being held over the course of the day.

The first two games start at 9am, with the last match  having a 3.30m kick-off.

Admission is £3 adults and £1 concessions.