McGeady banned after Strachan bust-up

Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has been banned from first-team duty for two weeks by Gordon Strachan following a row with the manager of the Scottish champions.

It means the Republic of Ireland international is now set to miss the Glasgow derby match away to Rangers, presently four points behind leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premier League table, on December 27.

His future at Celtic was then thrown into further doubt when, minutes after announcing his ban, the club revealed they'd signed fellow winger Niall McGinn, 21, on a three-year contract from Derry City.

McGeady has been reported to have answered back in unacceptable fashion after Strachan criticised the team after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hearts.

“Following a breach of club discipline, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has suspended Aiden McGeady from training with the first team for two weeks and has fined the player two weeks' wages,” a Celtic statement said on Tuesday.

“Gordon's decision has the full support of the Celtic board of directors.”

McGeady was by no means alone in feeling the rough edge of Strachan's tongue but is understood to have been the only player to respond negatively.

Strachan and McGeady were also reported to have clashed following Celtic's Old Firm defeat on August 31.

McGeady, the Scottish Footballers' Association player and young player of the year, only recently returned to first-team action following a month out injured and scored in last week's 2-0 Champions League win over Villarreal, a victory that came too late to help Celtic qualify for the knockout stages.

The 22-year-old's agent, David Holbrook, told BBC Sport: “He (McGeady) is shocked, disappointed – and I can say he will be appealing.

“He feels that the action is completely unjustified.”

Holbrook added McGeady was disappointed at missing the Rangers match and remained fully committed to Celtic. But he would not rule out the possibility of McGeady leaving Parkhead during January's transfer window.

“He wants to play in that game and every Celtic game. He remains 110 percent Celtic; he's supported them, trained with them and loves them.

“But there's a difference between how Aiden feels he's been treated by the club's hierarchy, as opposed to his relationship with the club at large.”

Northern Ireland international McGinn, who like McGeady was a boyhood Hoops fan, will join up with his new team-mates when the transfer window opens on January 1.

“I'm absolutely delighted to be here,” McGinn told Celtic's official website. “There was another club showing real interest but when I knew Celtic wanted to sign me, my mind was made up.”