While a move to Scotland would appear to be the likeliest destination for Jamie McGrath after terminating his Wigan contract, the Republic of Ireland midfielder's style of play would suit life on the continent according to former St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne midfielder Conan Byrne.
Having thrived in Scotland with St Mirren, McGrath initially signed for Wigan in January 2022 but only made two league appearances, before spending all of the past season north of Hadrian's Wall once again with Dundee United where he was able to make a positive impact despite the Tangerines' relegation from the cinch Premiership.
Wigan have also been relegated from the English Championship and they confirmed that McGrath was one of two players to choose to terminate their contracts.
The former Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic playmaker has already been linked with a swift return to Scotland with Hearts mooted as a potential destination.
And while Byrne believes the Edinburgh club could be a good landing ground for the 26-year-old, McGrath would have plenty to offer to clubs a little further afield.
"I'd love to see Jamie go on the continent," Byrne told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"I think he'd suit the likes of the Belgian league, the Dutch league and the Portuguese league really well, just considering the attributes that he has.
"I'm very disappointed that it didn't work out for him at Wigan - I thought it would have. He had a fantastic spell at St Mirren. But I just want to see Jamie being happy again playing football because when he is he's so, so good and we've seen what he's like at international level.
"He's able to compete with the top players in the world. His strength at holding off players, his awareness, his passing and weight of pass which is probably his best attribute, so I just want to see him get back enjoying his football."
And if that were to be in Scotland, Byrne highlighted some of the positives that could be found at Hearts.
"We saw Aaron McEneff doing well up there. He got his move to the A League from that," he said.
"But with Jamie's international experience behind him, you'd like to see him really get involved, starting every week because Hearts did well in the [Premiership] last year and you'd like to see them, especially if Jamie McGrath is in the side, to push the likes of Celtic and Rangers or get a bit closer to them."
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