Ruaidhri Higgins considering move for Manchester City prospect Rowan McDonald

Former Manchester City youth captain Rowan McDonald is training with Derry City in Spain this week ahead of a potential move to the Brandywell.

The 21-year-old, who can play in both defence and midfield, started for the Candystripes in today’s 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg side Swift Hesperange in Alicante.

Ruaidhri Higgins and his players are in Spain for a pre-season training camp, and will play a second game, against Danish Superliga side Aalborg this Sunday at 2pm. The Derry City boss, who has made no secret of the fact that he still wants ‘one or two’ new signings before the league season starts on February 17, has made McDonald a part of the squad for this week’s trip abroad.

McDonald signed a new contract at the Etihad last July despite missing most of the previous two years with injury.

Similar to current Derry players Will Patching and Sadou Diallo, McDonald came up through the Manchester City academy and was captain for the club’s Premier League U18 Cup success back in 2019. However, his progress was halted when he suffered a serious injury and subsequent setbacks that have seen him unable to play for two seasons. A potential move to the Brandywell could be beneficial to both parties, with McDonald now needing regular football to continue his progress.

Meanwhile, FAI Cup final hero Cameron McJannet, who also played during yesterday’s game, can’t wait for a new season to start at the Brandywell.

McJannet scored two goals in the thrilling 4-0 win over Shelbourne at the Aviva Stadium back in November, and is eager for another new season to start with City hoping to challenge Shamrock Rovers for the league title.

“It’s good to be back,” he said. “I think you can do all the training you want, but there’s nothing like a game so get 45 minutes in the tank is good for all of us. You might think it’s just 45 minutes, and I don’t know about anyone else, but 40 minutes in I was struggling, but it was good.

“You give it a week or two when the season ends and then you’re itching to get back. It’s been good to be back and I don’t know if you can use the word enjoyable with all the running and the snowing and throwing up afterwards, but it’s part of it and this is why we do it so it’s good to be back after the break.”

McJannet saw first hand the excitement surrounding the new season when over 1,000 fans turned up at the Brandywell for last Sunday’s pre-season friendly with Finn Harps.

“I was playing in the second half and I was one of the last ones out, but when I came out I thought ‘Oh wow’,” he admitted. “I was just expecting a few people, but it was a great turnout, yeah, unbelievable. I suppose you forget sometimes that the fans haven’t been here in a while so they will be buzzing and hopefully in the first proper game at the Brandywell this season we can give them something to cheer about.”

While City drew a blank yesterday, there is no doubting the quality City possess in attacking areas of the pitch coming into the new season, with the six goals against Harps just a taste of what the offensive players have to offer.

“There are so many attacking options and so many players with great ability and pace and power and technicality on the ball so it’s great when we are attacking and you’re standing there on the halfway line and sometimes it’s good to watch.

“The first game against Shamrock Rovers is a great game to have and that’s where you set the bar I think for the first few games of the season so hopefully we can have a real go at them when they come here.”

“It’s getting more exciting as the seasons go by here. Ever since I’ve come here we’ve gone up and up so hopefully we can keep going that way this season.”