McGeady doubt for key Irish clashes
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side face Georgia on February 11 and Bulgaria on March 28 next.
But Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has revealed his Irish star is struggling with a knee injury that might require surgery.
McGeady failed a fitness test before the club’s abysmal 2-1 Champions League defeat against Aalborg after missing the previous five matches.
Strachan said: “We will monitor him. Aiden gets about 20 minutes pain-free before he starts to feel pain.
“The doctor and the rest of the guys will look into that and see what the best way is to get Aiden back to full fitness.”
Meanwhile Bhoys midfielder Paul Hartley hit back at critics of Scottish football as the debate about the state of the game continues following the Hoops’ shock defeat by Aalborg.
Gordon Strachan’s side 2-1 defeat at the Energi Nord Arena ended their interest in Europe for the season while extending their winless run away from home in the competition to 18 matches.
Rangers, Hibernian, Queen of the South and Motherwell failed to win any of their European ties this season.
And if Celtic lose to Villarreal in their last Champions League game at Parkhead on December 10, it will result in the worst season ever for Scottish clubs in Europe.
However, Scotland midfielder Hartley, speaking ahead of the visit of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, was in aggressive mood when the subject of defeat in Denmark arose.
“You guys have been criticising Scottish football,” he told reporters.
“I didn’t see you criticising it last season when we got to the last 16 of the Champions League and Rangers got to the UEFA Cup final.
“Of course, we are all disappointed but that’s just the way football goes.”
Hartley The former Hearts player continued: “Look at our home form, we are undefeated in the Champions League.
“Everybody talks about the away form but we were unlucky on Tuesday, we lost two bad goals from two deflections, so of course the players are disappointed to lose the game.
“There are expectations at this club but you have to look at the bigger picture.
“First and foremost you have to win the SPL to get into the Champions League.
“Then you are playing against top-quality teams who spend millions of pounds. There are probably 10 to 12 clubs in the Champions League who are top class.
“Are we expected to beat Manchester United at home? Are we expected to beat AC Milan at home?
“This season we came up against the holders in Manchester United, and Villarreal, who are a top-notch team.
“We were 1-0 up and cruising at Aalborg, we could have had two or three but we lost two bad goals.
“These things happen in football.”
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