Hatters boss concedes ‘indifferent’ displays have made it a ‘tough’ start at Luton for McGuinness.
Centre half earns first senior Ireland call-up
Luton boss Rob Edwards admits it has been a tough start to life at Kenilworth Road for centre back Mark McGuinness due to the Hatters’ ‘indifferent performances’ since he arrived.
The 23-year-old joined for a club record fee from Cardiff City back in August, and has started every game since, but despite impressing during his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Preston North End, he was then responsible for QPR’s equaliser when the Hatters fell to a 2-1 defeat in their next game. McGuinness did then look like the dominant centre half he was brought in to be when earning a first clean sheet in Luton colours during the 1-0 triumph at Millwall, following that up with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
After those successive wins the former Arsenal youngster has struggled to deliver the defensive solidity that he was signed for though, Town taking just one point from their last three matches, conceding seven goals in that time, losing to Plymouth Argyle, drawing with Oxford United and going down to a 2-0 loss at Sheffield United at the weekend. Despite that, McGuinness earned a first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad last week, the Irish involved in two Nations League qualifiers against Finland in Helsinki on Thursday, before a trip to Athens to face Greece on Sunday.
Town defender Mark McGuiness looks to get the ball away against Queens Park Rangers – pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images
Town defender Mark McGuiness looks to get the ball away against Queens Park Rangers – pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images
Discussing the news and his recent addition’s efforts for the Hatters so far, Edwards said: “It’s great for him. Like a lot of the lads at the moment and a new player as well, he’s still settling himself into new surroundings, a new club, a new environment, so this will be a lovely lift for him. It’s probably been tough for him as well because we’ve had some indifferent performances and at times probably such a different way of playing from what he’s experienced before.
“Getting up to speed with that kind of thing can be a challenge, but he’s so willing to learn, a brilliant communicator, great professional and he’s a real leader as well who will only get better and better. So we’re really pleased with him, but he’ll get better as time goes on, no doubt about that.”
When asked about the inclusion of McGuinness, who has played for his country extensively at both U19 and U21 level, new Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, having suffered defeats by England and Greece from his opening two matches in charge, added: “Mark’s aerially dominant and a set-piece threat. He also also got a good range of passing and has been really impressive for Luton.”
