TRANSFER NEWS: CELTIC MANAGER Tony Mowbray busied himself yesterday trying to head off interest in Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady who continues to catch the eye of potential suitors in England, most notably Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish.
The Premier League outfit have already had one inquiry about the 23-year-old’s availability rebuffed but McLeish is reckoned to be lining up a formal bid for the player with some of cash being made available to him by City’s new owners.
Mowbray, however, insists McGeady has a key part to play in his plans over the coming couple of seasons, highlighting the player’s ability to open up defences, score goals and create chances for others. “Aiden’s a very important player for our club in what we’re trying to build here,” said the Celtic boss. “There’s no interest whatsoever in listening to bids. Other clubs would be wasting their energy picking the phone up.
“I wouldn’t sit here and say one player makes the difference,” continued Mowbray when pressed about the player, “but what Aiden McGeady brings is that X-factor for us really, the ability in the Scottish game – where we do play against teams with a lot of men behind the ball – to eliminate individuals, to go past packed defences, to beat two and three men.
“Our financial situation is we don’t need to accept bids for players that we don’t want to sell.”
As it happens, Gary Caldwell suggested otherwise after the central defender completed his move to Wigan Athletic having initially been linked with Middlesbrough and former boss Gordon Strachan.
Caldwell expressed disappointment that he had to leave Celtic and insisted Mowbray had said he wanted to keep him but had not been provided with the necessary funds.
The 27-year-old Scottish international eventually moved to the Premier League club after being offered wages of around €28,000 per week, roughly twice what had been on the table at Celtic Park. “The gaffer told me at different times he wanted me to stay,” Caldwell said. “But the boss had one opinion and the club had a different one. I think the club won in the end.”
Also leaving Celtic, but only on a temporary basis this time, is 20-year-old striker Cillian Sheridan who has joined SPL rivals St Johnstone until the end of the season.
The Irish under-21 international spent the first half of the season at Plymouth Argyle but failed to find the net in 13 appearances. St Johnstone boss, Derek McInnes, is confident, however, the big frontman can make an impact at McDiarmid Park. “I’m delighted to finally get Cillian here,” he said. “It’s the third time I’ve tried for him since I became manager. I’ve been looking for something different up top and Cillian will provide that, leaving me really happy with my attacking options.
Mark Yeates was on course to join Sheffield United from Middlesbrough last night after a fee of around €565,000 for the 25- year-old Dubliner was agreed.
