BRIAN Laudrup last night claimed Celtic manager Gordon Strachan gave Aalborg a vital Champions League boost before kick-off at Parkhead by not playing Aiden McGeady from the start.
Laudrup's fellow Danes left with a 0-0 draw on Wednesday as Celtic failed to break through their stuffy defence, with McGeady brought into the action to replace Scott McDonald after 63 minutes of the match.
The result put huge pressure on Celtic to take at least one point from their second Group E match away to Villarreal in nine days' time, which comes before a double-header against European champions Manchester United.
The Rangers legend, who was at the Parkhead match as an analyst for a Danish television station, said Aalborg feared McGeady more than any other Celtic player and were relieved and delighted when they learned he was not in the starting line-up.
Strachan has played down reports of a fall-out with McGeady but the winger has not started either of the club's last two games, with Shaun Maloney selected on the left wing instead.
"McGeady was the player Aalborg feared the most," said Laudrup. "I don't know the reasons for him being on the bench, but for Aalborg it was definitely an advantage. McGeady gives Celtic unpredictability. By the time he came on it was really difficult for Celtic to break through.
"I felt when he came on he made a difference but it was maybe a bit too late for that. McGeady is a player you would to pay to watch. When he came on he had a couple of good passes and some good dribbling work. He is the kind of player that can make a difference but he came on a bit too late so he couldn't do the damage."
McGeady received another enthusiastic endorsement of his ability when new team-mate Marc Crosas said he was good enough to play in top flight Spanish football.
McGeady has previously spoken of his ambition to play in La Liga and Crosas, signed from Barcelona in the close season, insisted he had the talent to do so. "McGeady is very skilful and quick," said the Spaniard.
"As for the Celtic players, I don't think they have anything to envy the Spanish players about. I believe McGeady could play in Spain as could other players here. But I would like him to stay here. I don't want him to go anywhere."
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