Aiden McGeady

[drinkfeckarse]

Average finisher with an average goalscoring record, however like you say, his work rate is fantastic and most Celtic fans I've spoken with are happy with Miller despite him not opening his account yet.

[bmozza]

Total rubbish! He was the most accomplished player on the ball last night

Ok, so Nakumara is in the side to create chances and cause their defense problems....sorry but can't remember him doing that once (apart from the free kick of course). If you want to call what I'm saying ''rubbish'' :eek: back up your point by giving me an example of his creativity against Man U?

[eirebhoy]

The others were proven not to be good enough when they moved to the Premiership even though they all looked excellent up in Scotland. That shows how much of a joke of a league it is.
Then there's always the other side of the coin with the likes of Larsson, Gattuso, Niemi, van Bronckhorst, van Hooijdonk, Tugay, Di Canio, Viduka, Reyna, Arteta, Mjallby, de Boer and whoever else I can't think of that prove themselves on a bigger stage. There's also the likes of Flo, Capucho and Juninho that go to Scotland and fail.

Boumsong? He was a success in the French league, he was at Rangers for 4 months. Miller must have started no more than 20 games for Celtic. Ferguson did fairly well at Blackburn, he certainly has been no better since re-joining Rangers.

There is life outside of the premiership and Celtic always have quite a few internationals on their books. Atm there's Boruc, Caldwell, Balde, Zurawski, Miller, Vennegoor, Gravesen, Jarosik, Nakamura, Maloney and probably more that are all regulars in their international squads. I don't want McGeady to leave Celtic in the forseeable future and I certainly don't think it'll affect his international career.

I'd have my doubts about defenders at Celtic and Rangers because they're rarely being tested by the very best but players like if McGeady is doing consistantly well in the SPL I'd have no doubts about him on the international stage.


, so Nakumara is in the side to create chances and cause their defense problems.
Nakamura is in the side to be a playmaker. He nearly always takes the correct option and without him Celtic can hardly put 2 or 3 passes together. He's not in the side to beat players and cross balls into the box all day. That's not the type of player he is. Class player and I still believe he's the best player in the SPL and the best passer I've seen play for Celtic.

[drinkfeckarse]

Lets not turn this into another Nakamura lovefest eh eirebhoy ;) :p :D

[bmozza]

Hey I'm a big Nak fan too, however I don't think he was any where near his best on Wednesday night, and that's all I'm refering too. I was told I was talking rubbish when I said he didn't play well....I was only asking for examples of what he did in the game that would suggest that my comment was ''rubbish''!! I actually only brought his name up to take the heat off McGeady, my point was that there was very little movement up front for them to hit. That's what the two of them have been great at this season, picking out forwards runs. Strachan said that his flair players let him down on Wednesday, but I think it's tough to pick up the ball on the half way line and do anything creative if there's only one big man ahead of you sitting on the centr half........fair point??

[Stuttgart88]

Lack of an "out" option was a problem for McGeady I accept.

However, there was one occasion where he had got clear of midfield, was at the corner of the United box and had only one defender to beat before he'd have had a one on one with Van Der Saar. With the tricks he's got beating the defender should have been a formality. Instead he simply did nothing with the ball and got dispossesed way too easily. Rabbit in the headlights.

If ever there was a chance for McGeady to deliver on a bigger stage that was it.

[bmozza]

I agree, and I remember that chance, I was screaming at him to attack the defender but he dabbled and it came to nothing. He can do it though, and I'm sure he knows he was poor. As said before though, he'll have plenty more chances in this CL campaign to mark his arrival on the big stage and I'm confident he'll take one of them.

[Junior]

Lack of an "out" option was a problem for McGeady I accept.

However, there was one occasion where he had got clear of midfield, was at the corner of the United box and had only one defender to beat before he'd have had a one on one with Van Der Saar. With the tricks he's got beating the defender should have been a formality. Instead he simply did nothing with the ball and got dispossesed way too easily. Rabbit in the headlights.

If ever there was a chance for McGeady to deliver on a bigger stage that was it.

I remember that, Neville disposessed him. 9 times out of 10 Mcgeady would beat the fullback in that position (and regularly beats the 2 who have been put on him). It was one opportunity, he ballsed it up and it was reflective of his performance overall, caught in two minds, miscontrol, misplaced passes. As eirebhoy has mentiond, whether Celtic go through or not, McGeady will hopefully have 5 more games to show what he can do against a variety of defenders in the CL. Lets revisit this conversation then!

[Fergie's Son]

In fairness, Neville is a very good full-back who has been around and pretty much seen it all. Neville has also played in a lot more CL games then McGeady has. No shamed in been taken by Neville.

Early days yet but overall United were the superior team. Celtic did well but were deserved losers at the end. They can still do well in the group though and could well beat United in the return fixture.

[eirebhoy]

Lennon was asked about McGeady's performance and Strachan also commented on him:
http://www.celticfc.net/channel67/presser.aspx (5mins 20 for lennon).

[eirebhoy]

This is a few clips of McGeady vs Rangers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts1_My5gTJY

tbh, it doesn't do him justice but I hadn't got the full match to get more clips. I'll have the full Copenhagen match tomorrow and upload his clips as he was excellent.

[zinedineontour]

Utterly disgusting team selection and with a coward like that as manager I'm glad we lost. I know it's a terrible thing to say but if a cowardly team line like Staunton put out tonight managed to get a point we'd be stuck with the same nonsense for the rest of the qualifiers. Hopefully this is a wake up call.

Even whem McGeady came on for 11 minutes (yeah that's enough time!!) he played him right wing and the ball never came down the right side for the rest of the game! McGeady though ended up picking the ball up at left back! Driving forward and picking out a pass that opened the Germans up and led to our last minute corner big Dunny should have scored from.

Aiden McGeady is Irelands on-form attacking player. Not to play him tonight was gross negligence on the part of the manager. McGeady will be starting the Champions League in a few weeks time. We can't afford to leave such ability on the subs bench.

I am so angry with Staunton it's unbelivable. I want him sacked... TONIGHT!

is this the worst post ever ? you were glad we lost ? with fans like you ....

[eirebhoy]

is this the worst post ever ? you were glad we lost ? with fans like you ....
I don't think he's an Ireland fan tbh. I've actually even seen him post on a Man Utd forum and it was to open a topic about McGeady. Let's just keep this topic about McGeady. :)

[Plastic Paddy]

That's what the two of them have been great at this season, picking out forwards runs.

Well spotted. McGeady's run and pass to Kenny Miller to set up the latter's goal against Rangers was sublime. He was at it again last night against Kobenhavn and seems to be forging an excellent understanding with Miller. Let's hope McGeady can translate this improved showing to the international stage and soon.

:ball: PP

[bmozza]

It's a sure winner backing this young fella, he was pure class last night and against Rangers and I loved every minute of it!! He has to start against Cyprus and the Czechs now, if Stan even thinks about starting Kilbane ahead of him I can see another Gun incident immenent!

[Stuttgart88]

it doesn't do him justice Wow, he must have had some game. Some of that was McGeady at his best.

I had a must-attend bonding session with my bosses last night so only saw last 30 mins last night. Some nice touches but I think it's fair to say he gave the ball away easily a few times in that period. Match reports in the papers singled him out as being excellent in first half though.

Big question: is he the answer for Ireland's RHM though? As everyone says, he plays best on the left for Celtic. He & Duff to interchange maybe?

[NeilMcD]

He has got to start along with Duff Doyle and Keane against Cyprus, We need to be attacking and get our attacking players on the pitch. He is on form and playinlg really well. He was top class for 60 mins against Copenhagen tracking back also He tired with for the last 20 minutes of his game so was taken off. But a very good performance though.

[Dr. Ogba]

He has got to start along with Duff Doyle and Keane against Cyprus, We need to be attacking and get our attacking players on the pitch. He is on form and playinlg really well. He was top class for 60 mins against Copenhagen tracking back also He tired with for the last 20 minutes of his game so was taken off. But a very good performance though.

Spot on, McGeady Duff Doyle and Keane have to be started against Cyprus...Get these guys playing without fear and given free reign to attack the Cypriots and we should win comfortably. I think we're gonna leak goals in both of these matches anyway (especially with Shay gone) so we might as well adopt the "score more than them" mentality which I think we're capable of doing so with these lads starting...

[eirebhoy]

I had a must-attend bonding session with my bosses last night so only saw last 30 mins last night. Some nice touches but I think it's fair to say he gave the ball away easily a few times in that period. Match reports in the papers singled him out as being excellent in first half though.
As Neil said it was actually the first 60 minutes that McGeady was at his very best so you missed the best of him. :) I'll post most of his clips later though.


Big question: is he the answer for Ireland's RHM though? As everyone says, he plays best on the left for Celtic. He & Duff to interchange maybe?
I don't know if he plays better on the left. Strachan just likes to play his 'wingers' on the opposite side like Barcelona so they'll come inside often. Ronaldinho plays on the left for Barca but you could stick him in any attacking position. Naka will always be playing on the right wing so McGeady plays on the left.

[Stuttgart88]

We have a sound & experienced defence, including a CL winner.

In Duff, Robbie, Doyle & McGeady we have four athletic and talented attacking players who on any given day can cause any team trouble. But they need service. The wide also players need to have someone capable of a threat in the middle just to avoid being double & triple marked.

If we can solve the central midfield conundrum we just may be able to unlock the attacking potential of the team & maybe all the recent doom & gloom just isn't warranted. But then again, the doom & gloom is all down to central midfield in my opinion.

I'm tired of the Charlton/ Mick /Kerr ethos of grinding out an away point. That's long outdated. Fortress Lansdowne is a distant memory. 3 points is 3 points no matter where it's earned. I say we should go out and engage teams in a game and see how we fare. If we're good enough we'll win those games.

I'd be satisfied enough if we fail to qualify having given it a really good shot. If we're not good enough so be it. Who can complain? Giving it our best shot & looking to the next campaign are not mutually exclusive in my opinion. I can fully support the decision to omit McGeady in Germany, but Cyprus away & Czechs at home is different.

6 points later we could be in a totally different mindset & Staunton's stock will be a lot higher. The key is to trust the players he has in the positions they usually play.

[NeilMcD]

Great post Stuttgart. With No Carsley and no Stephen Reid who would you start in the centrail midfield.

[Stuttgart88]

Not sure. Two of Kavanagh, Miller & Douglas?

Probably Kav & Douglas.

I just like the way that Douglas gets about & gets stuck in, and likes getting forward too.

As Donal and others have said before, a wildcard midfield option may well be what's best.

[colster]

Not sure. Two of Kavanagh, Miller & Douglas?

Probably Kav & Douglas.

I just like the way that Douglas gets about & gets stuck in, and likes getting forward too.

As Donal and others have said before, a wildcard midfield option may well be what's best.

I'd go along with that although I am a bit suspect of Kavanagh's ability at this level. I think he could be torn apart by the Czechs. But he's one of the best we have at the moment.

[colster]

We have a sound & experienced defence, including a CL winner.

In Duff, Robbie, Doyle & McGeady we have four athletic and talented attacking players who on any given day can cause any team trouble. But they need service. The wide also players need to have someone capable of a threat in the middle just to avoid being double & triple marked.

If we can solve the central midfield conundrum we just may be able to unlock the attacking potential of the team & maybe all the recent doom & gloom just isn't warranted. But then again, the doom & gloom is all down to central midfield in my opinion.

I'm tired of the Charlton/ Mick /Kerr ethos of grinding out an away point. That's long outdated. Fortress Lansdowne is a distant memory. 3 points is 3 points no matter where it's earned. I say we should go out and engage teams in a game and see how we fare. If we're good enough we'll win those games.

I'd be satisfied enough if we fail to qualify having given it a really good shot. If we're not good enough so be it. Who can complain? Giving it our best shot & looking to the next campaign are not mutually exclusive in my opinion. I can fully support the decision to omit McGeady in Germany, but Cyprus away & Czechs at home is different.

6 points later we could be in a totally different mindset & Staunton's stock will be a lot higher. The key is to trust the players he has in the positions they usually play.


Could not agree more. I think we have some very talented attacking players. I think a good start would be to play the Central Midfielders who are playing regularly in the Premiership i.e. Carsley and S.Reid.
The only problem with that combination is that they are not particularly good passers of the ball. Carsley has done well for Everton in the holding role with the bulk of the creativity being taken up by Graveson and now by Arteta.
I don't think S.Reid is as good as either of those 2.
I think we should consider playing a 5 man midfield with Doyle up front on his own and a midfield of

Keane S.Reid Carlsey A.Reid/Ireland Duff

I know playing robbie on the right may be strange but I think it could work.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd go along with that although I am a bit suspect of Kavanagh's ability at this level. I think he could be torn apart by the Czechs. But he's one of the best we have at the moment.Exactly how I feel. Same about Miller. Talented but tough games just pass him by sometimes.

Miller & Douglas looked OK in 2nd half of Holland game.

[colster]

Exactly how I feel. Same about Miller. Talented but tough games just pass him by sometimes.

Miller & Douglas looked OK in 2nd half of Holland game.

I think Kav's problem is that he just doesn't have the legs or postional sense to play the holding role. I think it was the Swiss game at home but the game seemed to pas him by. Holland was brought on and immediately got stuck in. Kav doesn't seem to do that.
Did you read what Staunton said about Carlsey and Holland? http://www.eleven-a-side.com/euro2008/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=24614
Basically he says that Kavanagh is in the squad for his experience. How can he say that? He's hardly started a competitive game for Ireland.

[Dr. Ogba]

Not sure. Two of Kavanagh, Miller & Douglas?

Probably Kav & Douglas.

I just like the way that Douglas gets about & gets stuck in, and likes getting forward too.

As Donal and others have said before, a wildcard midfield option may well be what's best.

Agreed except I'd have O'Shea and Douglas - I hate to say it but Kav was muck against the Dutch and just wasn't looking for enough ball

So who would be your wildcard option? At the moment the only one I could think of is McPhail (he could be the one to spread the play and involve the wingers more) but it seems he's nowhere near Stans thoughts...:(

[Stuttgart88]

Kav didn't play Swiss at home. He was dropped after a poor showing in Cyprus. Holland & O'Shea started.

Kav, like Gravesen, is often confused as a holder, but most definitely isn't one. I don't think we have a natural holder available to us, except Carsley. O'Shea isn't up to it against good opposition.

If we don't have one, we can't play one!

[shakermaker1982]

I was studying (or trying to) O'Shea last night for Man Utd. He doesn't really get stuck in, just runs around and makes himself available when Scholes/Carrick/Rooney go up a blind alley. Carrick was useless last night and gave the ball away numerous times. O'Shea always made his 8 yard passes no bother!!!

[Billsthoughts]

Some of his passing and his decision making(the one were he hoofed it out of play from well insdie his own half under very little pressure.) would make you wonder how he made it as a proffesional footballer. or at least what the hell happened such a once talented player.

[ken foree]

sort've back on topic here, how was mcgeady last night for celtic, anyone care to share their thoughts??

[NeilMcD]

I posted earlier in the thread ken that I thought he was top class for 60 mins and then tired but this was down to the amount of defensive effort he put in too. I would have no qualms about playing him against Cyprus and Czechs.

[ken foree]

I posted earlier in the thread ken that I thought he was top class for 60 mins and then tired but this was down to the amount of defensive effort he put in too. I would have no qualms about playing him against Cyprus and Czechs.

thanks neilmcd, i thought i'd read back far enough into the thread to get meself caught up. i'll go and have a read of your comments but thanks for summarizing. great news, hope he can perform against increasingly strong opposition and am hoping celtic can get out of this group.

[eirebhoy]

Here's his clips from the Copenhagen match. It shows how different he is to 12 months ago when he'd just try to beat his man at every opportunity. It shows him crossing, tracking back, taking on players and pulling off 1 or 2 tricks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA_c9O3YVzM

[Stuttgart88]

Quality. Well done that man.

[ken foree]

thanks for the clips again ebhoy, good stuff from mcgeady. perhaps a better striker would've finished off that lovely chance he created for miller at the end of the video. i think we can safely call his modified cruyff-turn a 'mcgeady' now?? :D MUST play in the next qualifiers

[McGeady10]

So proud of the wee man the way he's managed to put on so much muscle mass in the last couple of years and delighted to see him getting the benifits.

For about 6 months there he was slow as a week in the jail but stuck to his plan and now the extra power is coming in handy and also given him an extra burst of pace.

For 6 months he reckons it was like trying to play with a rucksack of bricks on his back... Now he's back to himself and looking good :)

[DeNiro]

Cracking stuff eirebhoy. Well done. I reckon if wee Aiden keeps it up he could become at least a regular fixture for us. If we got Stephen Ireland going in that direction as well he might solve our creativity in the middle of the park.

McGeady, Reid. S, Ireland, Duff doesn't sound too bad if all were playing regularly and firing on all cylinders.

[youngirish]

Cracking stuff eirebhoy. Well done. I reckon if wee Aiden keeps it up he could become at least a regular fixture for us. If we got Stephen Ireland going in that direction as well he might solve our creativity in the middle of the park.

McGeady, Reid. S, Ireland, Duff doesn't sound too bad if all were playing regularly and firing on all cylinders.
I agree. I don't think things are as bad as people make out in our midfield but the problem is amplified by Staunton who persists with those two donkeys O'Shea and Kilbane without experimenting with any alternatives.

Surely it's not too hopeful to suggest that at least one of J O'Brien, Ireland or Garvan (if he recovers from his virus) will be viable alternatives in central midfield by the next set of important matches after we get through Cyprus, the Czechs and San Marino (twice). To be honest I think Stevie Ireland should at least get half an hour or so against the Cypriots if we are struggling in midfield (preferrably with Reid) as he'll provide a creative outlet against a team we should be aiming to beat comfortably. Kilbane and O'Shea don't provide any creativity which is why I believe Robbie (and whoever partners him) has struggled for form and goals lately. If Ireland performs well start him against San Marino (I'm not sure if he's ready to play against the Czech midfield yet).

The area that I worry about the most for these qualifiers is the defence to be honest. It doesn't look like we're going to have any decent up and coming defenders that are going to be much use to us for this campaign. The midfield should be ok though.

[NeilMcD]

The midfield is the biggest issue as the manager seems to want to play Kilbane and O Shea. I think most people who have any clue of the game recognise that they should nto be playing central midfield. If Staunton picks them, it is proof that he has no clue of the game. Simple as that.

[geysir]

It's not proof at this stage. It's a tad hysterical to denounce Staunton in this context.
I got the clear impression that Robson concurred 100% with this midfield selection. And was reasonably positive after the Germany game.
ATM I'd say the management's attitude is that considering the performance in Germany 'it's not that broke'.
If there was a full midfield to select from, with fully match fit, both on form Reids, then that's another story.

[eirebhoy]

I blame Kerr for playing Kilbane in the centre in the first place. ;)

[NeilMcD]

NO I think its a a fundamental decision in Stauntons managment. If he believes that Kilbane and O Shea can play midfield together then I do not share any footballing beliefs with him and for me I could not take him seriously as a manager. It is a fundamental issue for me that O Shea and Kilbane must never play for Ireland in central midfield together ever again.

[Stuttgart88]

Staunton who persists with those two donkeys O'Shea and Kilbane


the manager seems to want to play Kilbane and O Shea.

I fully accept that O'Shea seems to be there almost automatically. But hasn't Kilbane only played there once? As well as left-sided hybrid forward against Holland, left-back aganst Chile, centre-half against Chile....

I can accept the logic of Kilbane's inclusion at CM in Stuttgart, as he was there to match the physical threat of Frings. I wouldn't have done it myself but it can theoretically be justified. One off decision - I hope!

So I think it's grossly unfair to say that Staunton is permanently disposed to fielding that pairing.

But if he does against Cyprus....:eek:

[NeilMcD]

I agree he has not done it all the time but we had a full choice of midfielders against Germany with the exception of Andy Reid and Joey O Brien and it is his only competitive game and he plays the two of them together away from home when surely the job away from home is to retailn the ball for as long as you can.

[Stuttgart88]

Neil, maybe, just maybe, he thought Miller would be gobbled up by Frings, but Kilbane wouldn't. I don't deny it was an error, and I wouldn't have done it myself, but I can see the logic in theory. Athletic 6 footer vs athletic 6 footer. Cut off Frings and you cut off Ballack.

Staunton probably recalls Kilbane's good performance in Paris. Sadly, I doubt he scrutinised the subsequent games as closely as us fans who quickly came to realise that arguably the biggest tactical failing of Kerr's reign was his persistence with KK in midfield.

[NeilMcD]

I see where you are coming from but I think if he persists with Kilbane and O shea as our midfield partnership I will lose my faith in him as I really think its a fundamental issue for this team. We will only get Duff Mc Geady Doyle and Keane in the game if we have a midfield platform to work off. I think a cautious breaking up player like Carsley can give protection to the defence and lay it simple to our full backs or to Duff and Mc Geady. Then someone like Stephen Ireland, Andy Reid, Liam Miller or possibly Stephen Mc Phail could be a link man to the forwards and the wingers also. If we want to be a bit more athletic in midfield Stephen Reid is the answer in my view and not Kevin Kilbane. I also feel that over time Joey O Brien can possibly estalish himself as the ball winner or the more defensive midfielder in the team but this can be done with the luxary of having Carsley there for these 3 games and possibly the games in Spring.

I think the younger players will benefit with chasing qualification rather than giving up on it now.

[geysir]

It is beyond dispute imo that both Robson and Stan rate Steven Reid as one of the two first choice central midfielders and given the managerial love fest for O'Shea, I'd wager that he is their other choice. I wonder who their first choice RM is. Is their preference for another winger in McGeady or a player like A Reid/Ireland/Miller?

Looking back at the Germany game if Duff was coming off and McGeady is coming on as a sub. you'd imagine that it would have been a direct swop.

[mjpcc]

Former Celtic striker John Hartson believes that Aiden McGeady could soon attract bids of £20m. (Sunday Mail/Post)

McGeady scored against Falkirk today.

Definitely should be in team against Cyprus.

[Qwerty]

It is beyond dispute imo that both Robson and Stan rate Steven Reid as one of the two first choice central midfielders and given the managerial love fest for O'Shea, I'd wager that he is their other choice.

So why did Reid play RM against Germany? surely Reid is a better option that KK or JOS, I didn't understand the decision at all.