Riley McGree delivers message over his future at Birmingham City and chances of making return to England | OneFootball

Riley McGree has suggested that he is loving life at Birmingham City but he also remained coy over his potential future ahead of the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old has been in excellent form for Birmingham since coming into the side this season and he has managed to help add an extra spark to the side from the middle of the park. McGree has fired home two goals in his ten Championship appearances, as well as averaging one key pass and completing 1.4 successful dribbles per game so far this term.

Despite McGree’s importance to the side, Lee Bowyer has remained downbeat over Birmingham’s chances of keeping hold of the 23-year-old beyond January when he makes a return to Charlotte FC.

It has therefore seemed unlikely that the Blues would be able to come to an agreement with the MLS side to extend his stay at St Andrews. That comes with him still having two years left to run on his deal with his parent club.

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Speaking to Birmingham Live, McGree has insisted that is loving life at Birmingham and that he is going to continue to give his all for the side until the moment he leaves the club.

He said: “I’m just loving my football. I will give everything for this club no matter what position I’m playing in. In training I’m pushing myself to get minutes here and there.

“It’s been really good to get some solid minutes and hopefully I can keep it up.

“It [going to Charlotte] is what it is at the moment. I’m going to give 100 percent week in week out, game in game out for Birmingham.

“I love playing for this club. I love this club, and no matter where I’m playing or what I’m doing, I’m going to give 100 percent for this club.

“I love English football. As a youngster growing up in Australia, this is ultimately where you want to have a young career and a good career. Time will tell. We will see what happens.”

On whether he could return to England in January he added: “Who knows? At the moment, my contractual situation is I go back in January to Charlotte. If that changes, I’m sure everyone will find out. I’ve got two years left with an option.

“Can I see that changing? I don’t know. Time will tell. Contractually right now, I’m planning to go back in January, but I’m just focusing on every game at Birmingham and we will see what happens.”

The verdict

McGree’s comments here suggest that there is a slight bit of hope for Birmingham in terms of their chances of keeping hold of the 23-year-old. However, he has also revealed that he is now preparing to go back to Charlotte FC and recognises his current contract situation with them could make it difficult for him to get a permanent return to English football.

It does seem that McGree’s long-term ambition is to return to England and get his career developing in the Championship. Therefore, even if Birmingham do lose him in January, there is still a chance that they could go back in to sign him at a later date in the next few windows.

Losing McGree is going to be a huge blow for Birmingham’s season because he has been instrumental in some of their best performances this term. It is going to take a lot to replace him in January, so if there is a chance that the Blues can keep hold of him then they surely must do all that they can to explore that at the very least.