McCrudden staying at the Riverside Stadium

The talented midfielder, who is believed to have attracted interest from the likes of Coleraine, Ballymena United and Dungannon Swifts admits he’s happy at the Riverside Stadium.

McCrudden also admitted that money isn’t everything and now that he’s back enjoying the game he wants that to continue this season in the Premiership.

“I’m happy at Stute and I’m staying,” he stated.

“After staying around for a few seasons to try and get us in the Premiership, why would I jump ship now, it just doesn’t make sense.

“Yes it would be a different ball game if we didn’t get up, but we are up and I just can’t wait to get started.

“Money has never really mattered to me so there’s no way I’m going to another Premiership club for a few extra quid.”

The one time Newcastle United starlet does concede that one day he would love to get another chance back across the water and he believes under Paul Kee’s management style then ’Stute could be his ideal club for him to get that second opportunity.

“If I do well in the Premiership then you never know what could happen,” he added.

“I will always have one eye on what maybe could happen and that’s what I’m striving towards.

“I feel that at I’m at the right place now to go out and show what I can do, under the coaching of Keeso, Buggsey (John Cunningham) and Dungeston (Brian Donaghy) I’m happy and I think they are happy with me, so there’s no point in changing.”

Another man along with McCrudden who took part in the first pre-season training session at Drumahoe on Monday evening, was skipper Paddy McLaughlin and he to can’t wait for the season to get under way.

The centre-back is hoping that the underdog tag which has served so many teams well during the Brazil World Cup, will continue during their Premiership campaign.

“Every league is the same, every team that gets promoted they are always the underdogs straight away, people right off their chances and talk about surviving straight away.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Look at the World Cup now, the underdogs have been the best teams in it so far, so it could be the year of the underdog.

“Yes we know that we aren’t going to win the Premiership but I think we’ll give most of the teams a serious game, especially at home.

“Our home form is going to be crucial this season and I think when the league splits realistically we’ll probably be in the bottom half, so if we can compete against the bottom half of the league from Christmas on, I think that will be a good starting point for us.”

The 34-year-old did concede that just like the 
last few seasons he really does feel that the 2014/15 campaign will be his last campaign 
in the top flight.

“I have been saying it for the last couple of years that I would give it another year and then start my coaching badges whenever I finish and then probably look to move into that side of the game and helping younger players.

“But I have done my coaching badges and I’m still playing but I do really think this will be my last season under my belt.”