Stiliyan Petrov has urged Aston Villa to sign his former Celtic team-mate and Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady. Villa could step up their bid to capture the winger now that Bhoys manager Neil Lennon has admitted McGeady wants to leave Parkhead.
Petrov believes McGeady could become a “special player” for Villa whose manager Martin O’Neill is looking to add to his squad this summer.
The Bulgarian international said: “We have special players here at Villa already like Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor - and Aiden would come into that category.
“They are the sort of players who can make something happen out of nothing so we would be happy if Aiden came to Villa.
“I think he has developed a lot as a player in the last couple of seasons.
“He’s a player that a lot of big teams are looking at presently because you don’t see many players willing to take the opposition on.
“It will be hard for Celtic to let him go because he’s really important for them and I’m talking like he’s coming here when I don’t know that.
“But I do know he is the type of player that would be good for Villa.”
Celtic are reported to want around €9.5 million for McGeady, but O’Neill will have additional funds available, plus those already promised by Villa owner Randy Lerner, if he loses his battle to hold on to James Milner.
Manchester City have already had one bid of around €22 million rejected for the England midfielder who is currently on holiday after the World Cup.