Rovers sign Scottish striker

SHAMROCK Rovers announced the signing of a new striker last Thursday reports Stephen Farrell. Edinburgh-born Marc McNulty joins ‘the Hoops’ from Scottish League Two club The Spartans.

McNulty has played for a variety of clubs in Scotland and England and has two Scottish caps to his name.

During his youth career McNulty enjoyed spells at Celtic and Hibernian before joining Livingstone in 2009.

He scored 19 goals for the Scottish Championship side in the 2013/14 season which helped him to secure a move south of the border to Sheffield United, aged 21.

Following loan spells at Portsmouth, where he scored 10 goals, and Bradford City, he was allowed to leave the Blades after failing to secure a regular place on the team.

In 2017 McNulty signed for Coventry City who he helped win promotion back to League One with a man of-the-match performance in the play-of final against Exeter at Wembley.

He scored 28 goals for the Sky Blues in that campaign, before being sold to Reading for a reported initial fee of £1.2m.

During his time with the Royals there were loan spells at Sunderland and a return to Scotland with two spells at Hibernian.

In 2019 he earned two international caps under Alex McLeish against Kazakhstan and San Marino in European qualifiers.

In October 2020, McNulty joined Dundee United on a season-long loan, scoring five goals in 30 games while being utilised in a wide role.

He rejoined the Tangerines on a season-long loan the following year.

The Edinburgh native made 24 appearances for Orange County SC in the USL Championship before returning home in February to sign a short-term deal with Scottish League Two club The Spartans.

Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie about the signing head coach Stephen Bradley expressed his delight at the move.

“Marc was in with us a few weeks ago, he trained with us for just over a week and we liked what we saw.

“It was former Rovers’ player Enda Stevens who put him onto us having mentioned him to me a few months back,” said ‘the Hoops’ boss.

“While McNulty is not an out-and-out centre forward Bradley is excited to see what he can contribute. he has played at a good level,” said Bradley.

McNulty came on for Graham Burke in the 1-1 draw at home to Drogheda United in the Premier Division on Saturday where a good chance fell his way.

From a Neil Farrugia through ball he rounded the ‘keeper but was unable to finish after he was pushed wide by the Drogheda net minder.