McGrath seeks to reignite career with Dundee Utd
The news that Jamie McGrath is returning to Scotland is an opportunity to reboot his career.
McGrath, it was revealed today, is joining Dundee Utd on loan from English Championship side Wigan Athletic until the end of the season.
Dundee Utd manager Jack Ross was close to signing the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international from St Mirren when he was in charge of Hibernian last August.
However, a last-minute snag on deadline day meant the transfer never happened.
McGrath enjoyed a very productive time in Scotland with St Mirren who he joined from Dundalk.
Under the then St Mirren boss (Waterford man Jim Goodwin who has since move to take charge at Aberdeen) McGrath blossomed as an attacking midfielder.
It was with the Saints the Athboy man won international recognition with the Republic of Ireland becoming only the second Meath man to be capped at senior level after Dunboyne's Darragh Lenihan.
However, since moving to England McGrath has found himself out of favour with Irish manager Stephen Kenny who told the player a lack of games at club level was hampering his chances on the international front.
Since moving to Wigan he has struggled to get a game. He now become Dundee United’s seventh summer signing, after the Taysiders completed permanent deals for Steven Fletcher, Dylan Levitt, Craig Sibbald, Mark Birighitti, Aziz Behich and Glenn Middleton.
“Jamie was a player who had a huge impact on the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren," Ross said.
“I’ve tried to sign him a couple of times already so my admiration for him as a player is obvious.
“He fits the profile in terms of what we are looking for. We wanted to bring another attack-minded player to the middle of the pitch."
“We also wanted to bring that increased athleticism and technique so he ticks so many boxes. I’m absolutely thrilled to bring him here.
“We want to get him playing, scoring and setting up goals for Dundee United and back into the international set-up.
“It’s a good statement for us and this is the calibre of player we’ve been trying to recruit.