Inside No.9: Which centre-forwards might City look to sign?
Five strikers Scott Lindsey has worked with before who could be potential targets
With no return date yet for Josh Stones as he struggles with a back problem, and now fitness concerns over Dipo Akinyemi, new City head coach Scott Lindsey has confirmed that the club may be in the market for another centre-forward to provide competition for Ollie Pearce. While Lindsey won’t be the only person involved in drawing up a list of potential signings, it’s worth taking a look at what kind of strikers he has favoured before, and considering whether any of them might be a good fit at York.
Harry McKirdy (29, unattached)
Lindsey has worked with the livewire McKirdy at two separate clubs: firstly during a prolific spell at Swindon before the striker secured a move to Hibernian in 2022, then at Crawley last season. On signing McKirdy for Crawley, Lindsey commented “Harry is a fantastic talent, and is someone I have worked closely with before…the fans are going to love Harry; he’s a great character, and he will score and create goals”. In a season of struggle for the Red Devils, however, he wasn’t able to find his best form and only scored 8 times.
Something of a mercurial character, McKirdy has run into off-pitch issues at previous clubs, but may be someone that Lindsey trusts to understand his playing style. McKirdy offers pace, a willingness to run at defences and an eye for the unpredictable. The likelihood that he may reunite again with Lindsey is increased by the fact that he is currently without a club, and has been part of the PFA pre-season camp for unattached players this summer. He has also tweeted in support of the York head coach after the recent win over Bristol Rovers. While a move for McKirdy would be risky, the fact he has yet to find a club over summer could open up the possibility for a short-term punt while City’s other forwards work their way back to match fitness.
Scott Hogan (34, unattached)
