SCOTTISH FA CUO FIFTH ROUND:CELTIC MANAGER Gordon Strachan moved to draw a line under the highly-publicised spat between Artur Boruc and Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady which preceded Celtic's fifth-round win over Queen's Park at Parkhead on Saturday.
At the pre-match press conference on Friday, Strachan had admitted there had been a verbal exchange between the players on the training pitch the day before. However, reports emerged before the game that the Poland goalkeeper had an altercation with McGeady in the dressingroom afterwards.
The Celtic manager banned McGeady from the first team for a fortnight earlier in the season for a dressingroom altercation with him and had reportedly fined Boruc in pre-season for a breach of club discipline.
Before the post-match press conference following the 2-1 win over the Second Division side, Strachan said: “Before we go any further, let me clear something up. On Thursday at the training ground there was an altercation between Artur Boruc and Aiden McGeady. That has been sorted out by me. I’ve spoken to the players and as far as I’m concerned it’s finished. Thank you.”
The most recent disciplinary problem at Celtic was in danger of being overshadowed by the Hampden part-timers during an uneasy afternoon at Celtic Park.
First-half headers from Gary Caldwell and Scott McDonald looked to have put the home side into an unassailable lead but the SPL champions struggled after the break, especially following Adam Coakley’s 65th-minute strike gave the visitors some hope.
Strachan believes captain Stephen McManus, who missed the game with a knee injury, should be fit for next week’s Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.
Yesterday’s fifth-round tie between Forfar and Rangers was postponed due to frost. The postponement also means the draw for the quarter-finals, which was due to take place after yesterday’s match, has been rescheduled for 5.15pm today at Hampden Park.
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