What does the future hold for Ross McCormack?
Much was expected of Ross McCormack at Aston Villa when he joined from Fulham in the summer of 2016. The former Leeds United striker was a massive success at Elland Road and Craven Cottage, and the £12 million that Villa paid for him was going to be money well spent, it was presumed. The Villans were planning to make an instant return to the Premier League following relegation, and McCormack’s extensive experience in the Championship was going to be a key factor.
McCormack, though, failed to make an instant impact at Villa Park. The 31-year-old Scotland international striker fell out with manager Steve Bruce and was sent out on loan to Championship rivals Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window. The former Leeds star was able to make only three starts in the Championship for Forest last season, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.
The former Rangers striker failed to re-establish himself in the Villa team upon his return from loan in the summer of 2017, and he was shipped off to Melbourne City in Australia in the A-League in September. It was quite a strange move, but it has paid off for both Melbourne City and McCormack. The Scotsman has scored six goals in eight league fixtures and has taken to life in Australia like a duck to water. Melbourne City are third in the league table at the moment, just six points behind Sydney FC, and are third-favourites for the title, according to latest A-League betting odds.
McCormack’s loan spell at Melbourne City is going well, and it would make sense if it is extended from January 2018 until the end of the season. Given the form that the striker is in at the moment, Warren Joyce’s side do need the striker if they are to be successful. Even if the loan spell cannot be extended, it would make sense for all parties for a permanent contract to be drawn up for next season.
Villa are doing well without McCormack, and it is clear that manager Bruce does not have any need for him. Returning to Villa in the January transfer window would only put the former Rangers star’s future back in limbo, and he would get precious little playing time in the second half of the season. Joyce is a very good manager who seems to get getting the best out of McCormack, and it would be wise of the striker to continue his ‘rehabilitation’ under him at Melbourne City.
McCormack may be 31 years of age, but he is still a very good player who can get back to his best in the coming years. A couple of bad or mediocre seasons should not undermine his quality and his extensive experience. What the former Motherwell and Cardiff City star needs to do is carry on working hard and banging in the goals. A season or so at Melbourne City could well see him return to a top club in the Premier League or in the Championship.