Aiden McGeady reveals warning from Martin O’Neill forced him into Sheffield Wednesday switch

What do Aiden McGeady and Andy Dufresne have in common?

Well it seems that the Ireland winger and the star of the Shawshank Redemption are now both enjoying their freedom away from their previous lives at institutions that they really did not enjoy. Goodison Park may not be quite up there with Stephen King's fictional prison, but the former Celtic man has described his relief at finally escaping from under Roberto Martinez just days after pitching up at Sheffield Wednesday on loan. The midfielder has moved to the Championship side until the end of this season, and today confirmed that his move was spurred by a phonecall from Martin O'Neill urging him to get some first team action. McGeady's hopes of making our Euro 2016 squad will be very much dependent on how he does at the Owls, and the former Spartak Moscow player told the BBC that he is delighted to be away from Merseyside.

"I forgot what it was like to be a footballer. I was training Monday to Friday and then having weekends off. "Once it got to October/November, I knew I had to get out."

McGeady signed last week in one of the more significant moves for Irish players during the transfer window, and admitted that Martin O'Neill had pushed him into a move away from the Toffees.

 The national team manager told me that I had to get out and play. You're wasting your time if you're not playing. It wasn't enjoyable at all."

McGeady made his debut for the club at the weekend and the Ireland winger is hoping that his input can help the club, currently just outside the play-off places in the Championship, end the season strongly.

"There's 18 games left this season and a lot of points to be played for. There is not that big a gap between us and the top two. The ideal scenario for me is to come here and play and help the club to get towards that. "The owners are ambitious and it is something I want to be a part of."