Sheffield United: Handsome tribute paid to departing David McGoldrick
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The 34-year-old was among three members of Bramall Lane’s first team squad who learned the club will not be taking up options on their contracts before yesterday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest.
A member of the United side which gained promotion to the Premier League in 2019, McGoldrick received a rapturous reception from the crowd when he was invited onto the pitch ahead of kick-off.
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Hide AdHeckingbottom, who took charge of United in November following a spell in caretaker charge last term, said the former Republic of Ireland’s character had come to the fore as his team mates were relegated from the top-flight 12 months ago.
“He’s a great bloke and a winner, that’s the best compliment I can pay him,” Heckingbottom said. “That and the fact that, when I looked to him, he always stepped up.
“No doubt about it, I leaned on him last season. And that tells you a lot, it tells you everything, about the type of person Didzy is.”
Initially signed on trial following his release by Ipswich Town, McGoldrick went on to become a key member of the side which reached the highest level of the game under Heckingbottom’s predecessor Chris Wilder before finishing ninth during its first season at the highest level.
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Hide AdHe scored 30 goals in 136 appearances for United, the last of which came during February’s win over West Bromwich Albion as Heckingbottom, appointed on a permanent basis following Slavisa Jokanovic’s departure, led his employers towards a fifth placed finish. Capped 14 times by his country, McGoldrick is currently recovering from injury.
“David has been a fantastic servant,” said Heckingbottom, who also informed Lys Mousset and Luke Freeman they are surplus to requirements before the 2-1 defeat by Forest. “The best way for me to sum it up is my experiences with him.
“When I came in (last season), the place was flat. The players were flat and the staff were flat. But I picked Didzy in every game and that’s because he could handle it and made a difference.”