McGeady may take case to SFA

Aiden McGeady could take take his dispute with Celtic all the way to a hearing with the Scottish Football Association next year.

The Hoops midfielder, 22, was excluded from the first team for a fortnight and fined two weeks' wages following a dressing-room bust-up with manager Gordon Strachan after Saturday's 1-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw with Hearts.

McGeady's agent, David Holbrook, quickly moved to say the Republic of Ireland player would be contesting Tuesday's punishment and revealed McGeady is awaiting written confirmation from the club.

McGeady has five days from receipt of the letter to appeal, firstly, to senior figures at the club.

Given the Celtic board have already backed Strachan's stance, any appeal would be likely to fail leaving the player with the option of taking the matter up with the Scottish Premier League.

If McGeady, or for that matter, Celtic, are dissatisfied with the SPL's decision, then the SFA are the next port of call.

Such a string of events, which PA Sport understands should not be ruled out, could take months leaving the possibility of McGeady playing under a cloud if, indeed, he stays at the club.

Holbrook, who claimed there have been no approaches for his client, told PA Sport that first of all, McGeady will await formal notification of his punishment.

He said: "As we stand at the moment, Aiden is waiting on a letter to explain the disciplinary measures taken against him.

"He has five days from receipt of the letter to appeal and he intends to do so, that has not changed since yesterday.

"He has been fined two weeks' wages and excluded from training with the first team for two weeks.

"That takes him up to December 30th. After that he will return to training with the first team and be available for the next match.

"There is every possibility that Aiden will be playing for Celtic while the appeal procedure is going through.

"Beyond that, all I can say is that it is in an internal matter.

"Celtic will follow procedures and we will follow procedures.

"We can't get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to see what the letter saysto see what the club's position is before we can frame an appeal.

"It is new ground for me and it's ground that I'm sure the the club and Aiden didn't want to cover."