manager's praise for on-form mcgeady

David Friel
CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan insists Aiden McGeady’s double Player of the Year award shows exactly what can be achieved when you combine natural ability with hard work.

The Hoops star capped off a wonderful individual season by being named both Player and Young Player of the Year at last week’s SPFA awards.

And the manager, who was helped McGeady improve his all-round game, believes the gongs are a reward for the winger’s talent, attitude and application.

He told the Celtic View: “It was fantastic news about Aiden and I think it says something about our football when you look at the winners of that award in the last three years – Maloney, Nakamura and McGeady.

“With Aiden, he’s taken his game to a new level. When you first become a coach, you take an oath to make players better – not to make you better.

“When you see players around the world that you’ve worked with, in any country, doing well for themselves, you take satisfaction from it. You get a kick from it.

“Aiden has gone to a different level. There are a number of reasons, but he’s listened and that’s a great thing. He’s worked on his body shape and there are other people with similar ability in the game, who don’t work hard enough.

“In his spare time, I see Aiden in the gym. It was the same with Shaun Maloney and it’s the same with Naka. He can get better as well, in different ways. That’s the new challenge for him.”

Celtic, currently two points ahead of Rangers at the top of the league, face the Ibrox side at Celtic Park this Sunday, April 27 in a vital SPL match.

Naturally, the manager is looking for his side to continue their recent run of good form, which saw the Hoops beat Motherwell, Rangers and Aberdeen in a hectic six-day period.

“It was a good six days for us,” he said. “Winning at Fir Park started it all and the boys carried it on. They can be pleased with themselves.

“They were all different types of games, with different types of pressure. They did well to handle everything that was thrown at them.

“There are a few injuries and hopefully they will clear up for the Rangers game, because there are one or two things I want to work on. As for Sunday, it will take care of itself. It’s just a massive match.”

To join the season ticket waiting list for your chance to become part of the Celtic family and cheer on Scotland's Player of the Year, Aiden McGeady, telephone: 0871 226 1888 (select Option 1, then Option 2) or e-mail waitinglist@celticfc.co.uk

You can also click HERE and sign up through the official Celtic website.