Aiden McGeady was today made to pay dearly for his bust-up with Gordon Strachan after the Celtic boss banned the winger from first-team duty for a fortnight.
Aiden McGeady was today made to pay dearly for his bust-up with Gordon Strachan after the Celtic boss banned the winger from first-team duty for a fortnight.
The Republic of Ireland international was also fined two weeks' wages over what the Scottish champions have described as "a breach of club discipline".
McGeady is thought to have reacted badly to a dressing down from Strachan after Saturday's 1-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw with Hearts.
It was the latest in a series of confrontations between the 22-year-old Irish internationalist and the Celtic manager.
Strachan was unhappy with McGeady's performance against Hearts and berated the player in the dressing-room. McGeady responded angrily.
The player now faces disciplinary action, perhaps a fine. Strachan and Peter Lawwell, Celtic's chief executive, were unavailable for comment yesterday.
The normal football line after a row is revealed is that it is a normal part of life in the dressing-room. However, the significance of the McGeady-Strachan spat on Saturday is that it is the latest in a series of disagreements between the manager and player.
Strachan confronted McGeady after the home defeat to Rangers on August 31.The player was subsequently "rotated" out of the starting line-up before coming off the bench to help turn the tide against Hibernian and Aberdeen.
McGeady, who has just returned from an injury lay-off, was part of a disappointing team effort against Hearts but had played a leading role, scoring a goal, in the 2-0 defeat of Villarreal last week.
The intensity of the verbal exchange with Strachan on Saturday shocked onlookers.
It has prompted speculation that Celtic may sell the player in the January transfer window. Bayern Munich have already tabled a bid through a third party and there is interest from the Barclays Premier League.
However, indications from Celtic Park last night were that the club were hoping to ride out the storm by taking the disciplinary action and waiting it to blow over.
The success of that strategy will depend on how player and manager react in the coming days.
