Aiden McGeady chose not to honour a modern football tradition that is a total bore.
The Ireland winger enjoyed a fine time of it at Preston North End last season. Loaned out from Everton, McGeady quickly became a fan favourite at Deepdale as he chipped in with a hatful of assists and crucial goals.
He was named on the Championship Team of the Season and looked to have found a home, and his level. He had all the adoration he could have ever needed.
And still, he moved on.
Preston could not match Sunderland's salary offer and, once Simon Grayson left the club to take over at the Black Cats, McGeady opted to move to the Stadium of Light. Preston fans were gutted but, almost to a man and woman, they wished the Scot well.
He returned to Deepdale this afternoon and, after receiving some jeers from sections of the home support and robust challenges from P.N.E defenders, struck with the equaliser in a 2-2 draw. As McGeady goals go, it was A-typical. Cutting in, low drive, bottom corner.
https://twitter.com/sunderlandred/status/914147952255479808
But that was not what drew the ire of the Preston fans.
McGeady turned on his heels - and turned heel - by sprinting straight down to the 3,000 Sunderland fans crammed into the away end, screaming all the way.
These were his new fans. This was his goal for his team.
It was akin to the infamous Emmanuel Adebayor celebration after scoring for Manchester City against former club Arsenal. Needless to say, it elicited a strong reaction. There is some vile stuff out there but here was a more measured yet still unhappy take on his celebration:
https://twitter.com/SOM038/status/914150338315341825
https://twitter.com/BeckerDJ/status/914164012098744325
https://twitter.com/AdamLordLM/status/914148715815948288
https://twitter.com/Karlos_Albertos/status/914164877211684866
https://twitter.com/NickPNE/status/914164008453902336
Hero to his new team's supporters. Not welcome in Preston for the next while.
Can't please everyone.
