CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING:Celtic (0) v Sporting Braga (3) Venue: Celtic Park Kick-off: 7.45pm
NEIL LENNON has conceded Aiden McGeady’s proposed move to Spartak Moscow holds the key to the manager’s transfer plans at Celtic. McGeady travelled to Russia yesterday to hold talks with Spartak, who have agreed an €11.5 million deal with Celtic for the winger’s services.
The Republic of Ireland international had been strongly reluctant to move to a Russian side, a stance which is thought to have softened in recent days. The prospect of a contract worth net €2.5 million a year until 2014 may have played a part.
Celtic accept the sale of McGeady represents the best scenario for all parties. Lennon is in the midst of a squad overhaul, and he admitted if McGeady knocks back Spartak then his prospects for recruitment will be affected. “Well probably, yes, because I won’t have £9.5 million,” the manager said. “I would like to think we would get all of it (to spend).
“Aiden is in Moscow. That’s as much as I know so far. He is going to have a look. I think he was a bit apprehensive about it but he has gone to have a look at the stadium and to see what Moscow has to offer.”
McGeady has been holding out for a move to England but, despite interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland, no formal bid has been forthcoming from a Premier League club. In a warning to McGeady over that attitude, Lennon added: “You can’t always get what you want. Football doesn’t work that way.”
Celtic’s desire to conclude a McGeady deal and, in doing so, bank some serious money, is likely to be enhanced tonight when their early elimination from the Champions League should be confirmed. Lennon’s side trail 3-0 after the first leg of their third qualifying round tie with Sporting Braga.
The Portuguese club conceded more than two goals only once last season, in a league defeat to Porto, but Lennon is bullish. “It can be done,” he said. “We scored four at home to Artmedia Bratislava (in 2005) and could easily have scored five . . . You have to believe this tie isn’t over yet.”
Celtic have ended their quest to appoint the Finland manager Stuart Baxter as a part-time adviser to Lennon. Baxter held talks with Celtic officials over the weekend while at the Emirates Cup. Lennon subsequently reported Baxter “is only a phone call away” when advice was needed. Yet the Finnish FA has rejected any possibility of the role, forcing Celtic to look elsewhere.
Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-yueng claims his team can “smash” the Portuguese side. The South Korea international has warned Braga they are in for a shock when they face the atmosphere of a Champions League night at Celtic Park.
Ki’s confidence mirrored the attitude of team-mate Gary Hooper, who had predicted a 4-0 victory for Celtic if they can get an early goal.
A controversial handball decision against the Korean allowed Osario Alan to put Braga ahead in the first leg of the third qualifying round tie and Celtic’s hopes of making the play-off round suffered a huge blow when they conceded two late goals from set-pieces.
But the Celtic players have clearly not given up hope.
“What we did in Portugal wasn’t good enough and I gave away a silly penalty kick,” Ki said. “But this will be different because we’ll have 60,000 people in front of us. If we play the way we just did in training, I think we can smash them.”
Ki’s bravado was fuelled by Celtic’s displays in the Emirates Cup at the weekend, where they fought back for a 2-2 draw against Lyon before launching another less successful comeback in a 3-2 defeat by Arsenal. “The cup gave all the players a lot of confidence,” the 21-year-old said. “We played one of the best teams in the world and we played a great game. It showed to everyone that we are good enough to beat Braga. It will be totally different to Portugal because they have never experienced the kind of fans at Celtic.”
Guardian Service
