McGeady is Ready

By: JT | July 4th, 2007

It’s a miserable July 4th here in Upstate NY. It’s looking like an indoor BBQ day. But the British press never (ever) rests, so I can’t either.

Aiden McGeady, Celtic’s kind of Irish/kind of Scottish, unfortunately coiffed midfielder is pumped for the upcoming season. He’s promising more up-tempo, attacking football this campaign, and is looking to get back to the good old Larsson days when the Bhoys would routinely smash the likes of St. Mirren and Dundee 5-1. There certainly was not a lot of that going on last year, especially once the title was in sight and the Celts were out of Europe. You would think they would loosen up and have some fun given those circumstances, but it definitely did not happen.

McGeady also goes on to say that he’d prefer to get back to his old spot in the center of midfield rather than play on the left wing where we’re used to seeing him. I have no doubt he’s a tough kid, but he’s still rail thin, and it’s unlikely he’d hold up too long in the SPL playing where he feels he’s more natural. He’s best suited right now for the left where he can use his pace and trickery to create goals for Jan the Man and Co. He continues to improve every year, and this year should be no different.

The addition of Ghana’s Stephen Appiah still appears to revolve around the departure of Gravesen, who Sheffield United is reportedly in for. United can probably afford the £3 million price tag, but Gravesen’s £40,000 weekly wages would be a huge stumbling block. Plus there’s no way in hell he’s going to want to go to the Championship. Celtic has reportedly agreed a £5.7 million fee with Fenerbahçe for Appiah, but personal terms have held up the move. The Bhoys need to get Gravesen’s wages off their balance sheet before replacing them with Appiah’s. I don’t think there are too many people out there who would prefer Gravesen to Appiah, so if this deal can be done, it needs to get done FAST. West Ham and their biscuit baron are now in the frame.

Speaking of midfielders, why hasn’t someone come in for Jiri Jarosik yet? Or rather, why hasn’t he been forced out? He claims the league is too physical for him, and he’s obviously way down the pecking order in the midfield with Scott Brown and Donati arriving. Why the brass isn’t trying to get his wages off the books to help out the above mentioned situation is beyond me. I can’t believe a team in the lower half of the Premiership, ie Birmingham or Derby, can’t use a guy like him. He’d probably only cost about £1.5-2 million.

David Marshall is officially off to Norwich, probably for a total of about £1.25 after add-ons. Thanks for your service. More good business by Peter Lawwell.

Where there’s smoke there’s fire. John Reid, former Home Secretary and Tony Blair’s “attack dog” is likely to be eased into the role of Chairman at Celtic Park with a seat on the board first. He’ll also take a role in airport security firm Daon, which is run by Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s largest shareholder. Lord Foulkes, MP and former Chairman of Hearts, warns Reid that the road ahead won’t be easy. He claims that he had “more intrigue and worries in football” than he ever had in government.