Ross McCormack’s loan to Motherwell seems to be in motion (update – it’s been completed) after Central Coast Mariners received an “official notice of recall” from Aston Villa, that terminated his time in Australia.
Of course, it was a formality with the player having been over in the UK getting treatment on a knee injury and also being spotted in the stands at a recent home match of his former club Motherwell – whom it’s reported he’ll now join on loan.
McCormack Statement
McCormack also suggested in a statement on the Central Coast Mariners website that he left Australia for the UK for personal reasons too.
“I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners and the fans for welcoming me on the Central Coast with open arms,” said McCormack, in the statement.
“Although I was only there for a short period, everyone made me feel very welcome from day one.
“The opportunity for me to return to the UK is something that I couldn’t turn down and will allow me to see my children more, which is something that is very important to me.”
Stranger to Smith
Villa Head Coach Dean Smith admitted in his pre-FA Cup third round press conference that he hadn’t met or even spoken to McCormack, but suggested another loan move for the player is forthcoming.
“I believe there could be another loan in order,” said Smith. “I’m led to believe there could be a deal close.”
Now 32, McCormack showed signs of his former goalscoring prowess with 14 goals in 17 appearances in his first loan down under with Melbourne City.
Since September, he scored once in five games for the Mariners before his knee injury.
Villa Business
McCormack has been one of the worst pieces of transfer business Aston Villa have done in recent years and it summed up the previous ownership of Tony Xia.
The player was always a risk, when you considered his age and transfer fee at the time (and as it transpired quickly, the lack of plan in where to play him).
With an additional year to run on his contract, after the current season finishes, it’ll be interesting to see if the reported upcoming Motherwell loan is a 18-month deal.
Such an extended loan deal would give both the player some stability and Villa some closure – despite the fact they’ll still be paying the majority of his reported circa £40,000-a-week wages.
UTV
