Neil Lennon has come out fighting in the battle to keep Aiden McGeady.
The new Celtic boss has never been slow to praise the Irish internationalist and is in no hurry to cash in on the club’s top asset.
Suggestions that McGeady feels that he has to move on to develop as a player will be met head on by Lennon despite an acceptable offer for the 24-year-old being on the table.
Spartak Moscow are believed to have made a bid of £10m for McGeady but Lennon believes that staying on at Celtic will be in the player’s interest more than a move to Russia or struggling Premiership side.
The Celtic boss said: “It’s absolute rubbish to suggest he has to leave Celtic to develop- Aiden is nowhere near his peak yet
“He has developed here already and there’s no reason why he can’t keep on developing under us.
“My question would simply be: ‘Why does he need to go’?”
Lennon added: “He is getting European football and the challenge in Scottish football is everyone wants to beat you every week. He’s the big fish in the pond – everyone’s looking at him and that in itself is a huge challenge.
“If he’s thinking of going I’d urge him to look at the clubs out there and ask himself if they would develop him or stunt him?
“We have a tradition of playing open and attacking football that suits him and his style of play. He’d need to really consider that as well if he’s going to go.”
Lennon is in Ireland this weekend hosting Question and Answer meetings with Celtic supporters in Dublin and his hometown of Lurgan.
Before taking Celtic to North America next week he will sit down with McGeady to judge the players moss after weeks of speculation.
The Celtic boss admitted: “We’ve knocked back one offer, but there’s been another offer – and it’s a big one.
“We’re considering it, but I wouldn’t make any decision on it until I speak to the player myself and see how he’s feeling.
“”I haven’t had a chance to speak to Aiden and see what his thoughts are. Obviously he’s a big player for me and I won’t be looking to let him go but if we get the right offer then we’ll consider it and do what’s best for us.
“”If Aiden makes it clear he wants to go then we’ll have to assess the situation. He’s been a great outlet for us, he was brilliant for me in the last few games of last season.”
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“Neil Lennon fighting to keep Aiden McGeady at Celtic”
I can’t think why.
McGeady’s form and influence on the team last season was patchy, and that’s being kind.
The only time he’s shown any consistency at all in all his time at the club, was under Gordon Strachan who kept him under a tight rein, insisting he remain on the wings and get crosses in for the strikers.
McGeady did’t like that kind of restriction and publicly fell out with the manager.
But Strachan stuck to his guns and got the best out of the player.
Mowbray on the other hand, fawned over McGeady and let him roam at will.
Result?
Poor form, constantly running up blind alleys, being greedy and refusing to pass to team mates, and as a result hanging on to the ball too long resulting in being disposessed more often than not.
It’s true that McGeady has talent, but he need a strong hand to bring it out.
I don’t know if he’s worth the trouble.
Perhaps Neil is insisting he doesn’t want to sell him to push the price up.
Nice one!
Totally agree with Carntyne….
so take the money now and use it well….
When was the last time we were offered 10 million for anybody? Think of the possibilities if we got that kind of cash.
E nu se idioma engleza. Makgidi mui bien jugaleodor. Spartak Mosku,esta grande ekipa para Siberia)))
10mill.esta mui bien))))