Under normal circumstances, Aiden McGeady would never play for Celtic under Gordon Strachan again. These are far from normal circumstances for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.
Under normal circumstances, Aiden McGeady would never play for Celtic under Gordon Strachan again. These are far from normal circumstances for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.
The question now is: who will outlast who at Celtic Park? McGeady's personal insult towards his manager, repeated six times after Saturday's 1-1 draw against Hearts, not only showed a lack of respect but confirmed a complete and irreparable breakdown in relationship between Strachan and the club's biggest saleable asset.
Strachan now faces the dilemma of jettisoning the malcontent and weakening his team, or forgiving McGeady and risk weakening his power within the dressing room. With Celtic's lead trimmed to four points, and with an Old Firm derby at Ibrox on the horizon, it is a fine balancing act.
The latest in a series of intermittent blow-outs between the warring factions could not have come at a worse time. A hamstring injury sustained by Shaun Maloney on Saturday will keep the forward out for up to six weeks. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is still out with a groin injury, while Georgios Samaras has looked bereft of confidence and conviction since he returned to fitness.
Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, spent yesterday attempting to play peacekeeper and while he will back the manager should any him-or-me' scenario unfold, he is bracing himself for a nightmare situation in the next six months. Having only recently convinced Shunsuke Nakamura to delay his return home until the summer, Lawwell is well aware that the supporters, those who have just invested in half-season tickets and those who will be asked to renew their annual briefs in the spring, will not take kindly to losing both creative forces in a double-whammy.
Even if Celtic were prepared to sell, the conditions are not as favourable as last season. News of the latest fall-out would weaken Celtic's bargaining power, even after McGeady agreed a new contract. Newcastle United have expressed interest but are no longer financially flush as Mike Ashley attempts to sell his stake. Sunderland had also been keen but the resignation of Roy Keane has shelved any signing plans until a permanent replacement is found.
Predictably, Celtic's PR machine attempted to allay fears of an imminent departure. "It is a football matter that will be dealt with internally," was euphemistic speak for a maximum two-week fine being imposed, estimated at around £30,000, for McGeady's outburst. McGeady, it seems, would swallow the fine just to escape the special treatment. He has cultivated a persecution complex under the manager whose philosophy on life, let alone football, is based on respect and adhering to protocol.
Strachan's hint at staying on for at least another year will hardly have given McGeady hope of waving him off the premises.
The conflict is best summed up thus: McGeady feels he is being picked on by Strachan; Strachan believes the Irish internationalist to be a spoilt brat. Their mutual insistence on having the last word was always destined to cause friction but, significantly, their working relationship has deteriorated since the passing of Tommy Burns, so often a buffer in the raging spats and a voice of reassurance to the young maverick.
After Saturday's latest disagreement, Strachan would have no hesitation in washing his hands of a player he believes is a disruptive influence in the dressing room and, especially, on the training ground with his constant carping. In the past, the manager has interrupted bounce games to upbraid McGeady for excessively foul language and a surly disposition after a trivial injustice' by the appointed referee.
Earlier this season, McGeady was turned away from a team meeting to review the reasons behind Celtic's 4-2 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead. Even back to his first season in charge, Strachan barely concealed his contempt for McGeady.
When asked if the emerging youngster had the potential to become one of the most talented players he had ever worked with - hardly an unreasonable question given the hype - the manager shot a withering glance and replied with an almost disdainful, "no".
He believes what McGeady has in ability he lacks in grace and humility. Since his early teens, he was told by all and sundry that he was destined for greatness - not least by his father, John, who was a ubiquitous influence in his fledgling career - and Strachan believes McGeady has suffered as a person for such cotton-wool treatment.
Strachan has lamented the failure to suppress this perceived arrogance throughout the youth set-up but the coaching staff were willing to forgive his foibles in order to cultivate the exceptional potential he showed. Neither Lawwell nor Strachan were prepared to comment publicly yesterday. The players were given a day off and Lawwell will hope the cool-off period will make McGeady realise the error of his ways.
An unreserved apology may ensure an uneasy peace in the short term but it is abundantly clear the Parkhead dressing room ain't big enough for the both of them. Either way, it is the club who will lose out.
