McGeady future uncertain despite appeal withdrawal

AIDEN McGeady has decided not to appeal the punishment imposed on him for an incident involving manager Gordon Strachan last month.

The Republic of Ireland winger looked certain to contest the fine and two-week first-team suspension Strachan handed him in the wake of the 1-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw with Hearts on 13 December.

However, a question mark must still be raised on McGeady's future at the club with Strachan refusing to select the player for the weekend draw with Dundee United, despite the player having served the club suspension.

McGeady's decision not to appeal against the punishment has also come after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Parkhead, prompting some uncertainty as to whether the winger's move can be viewed as being too late in the eyes of the Celtic manager.

The time limit in which McGeady could appeal was extended by agreement with Celtic until 9 January, but PFA Scotland yesterday confirmed he had decided not to go down a road that could have caused irreparable damage to his relationship with Strachan. A statement from the players' union read: "As per the rights conferred upon him under the terms of his contract of service and also within employment law, Aiden McGeady is entitled to a period during which he may appeal the recent sanctions taken against him by the club.

"He has used this time in the proper way which has allowed him to take due consideration to all the facts and circumstances regarding the matter. After lengthy discussions with his family and advisors, Aiden has decided not to appeal the penalties imposed upon him by Celtic FC.

"It is his wish that this brings this matter to a conclusion and he reiterates that his desire as always is simply to get back playing football for Celtic FC."

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said: "Aiden McGeady has conducted himself throughout this situation in a thoughtful, measured and mature manner. Aiden has rightly taken time to consider his position and will continue to have the full support of PFA Scotland."

McGeady's days as a Celtic player appeared to be numbered following the 13 December bust-up, which was not the first time he was reported to have fallen out with his manager this season. But the decision to ban the player was nevertheless a brave one by Strachan, who was gambling on his side being able to win games at Falkirk and arch-rivals Rangers over the Christmas period.

Two victories solidified the manager's position, while McGeady's decision to appeal made it difficult to envisage how the two men could continue to work together at the same club. A January sale could still be on the cards for McGeady, with Middlesbrough reported to be among the clubs interested.

That is despite Strachan's decision to omit McGeady from his squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United. The bust-up somehow found its way into the public domain and Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld yesterday called for whoever leaked the story to come clean.

He said: "We've all fallen out with managers, but it was always kept within the dressing room. I think this should have been kept in the dressing room. Who was it that leaked it?

"It's never actually been stated what he's said or done, that's the tragedy of it. Whoever it was who broke the news and brought it out of the dressing room should stand up and be counted."

McGeady's place in the Celtic team was taken by Koki Mizuno and the Japanese youngster marked his first start for the club with a goal in the 3-0 win at Falkirk. The game saw Mizuno link up with compatriot Shunsuke Nakamura and he told this week's Celtic View: "I think it's the first time that two Japanese players have combined to score a goal in club football outside Japan. It was a great moment for me. Back home, they showed that goal a lot on television and for me to score a goal that was assisted by Shunsuke was really special.

"More importantly, it also showed the people back home that I was still alive! It showed them that I was having success with Celtic and that was good."