McGeady backed to dazzle Barca

Former Celtic striker George McCluskey has backed Aiden McGeady to torment Barcelona – after watching him do the same to Brazil.

McGeady impressed in a 1-0 defeat for the Republic of Ireland against the South Americans last month.

And the 21-year-old has been in sensational form for the Hoops ever since, setting up five goals and scoring once in the past three games.

McCluskey, who scored for Celtic in a European Cup win over Real Madrid in 1980, now believes McGeady can put Barca to the sword in the Champions League first-leg clash at Parkhead tomorrow.

“He has been doing it lately and I really think we can get a goal or two out of something Aiden creates,” McCluskey said.

“I think they might have been watching some videos of him and I’m sure they might give him a bit of rough treatment and take him out for special attention.

“But Aiden has been unbelievable this year. I watched him for Ireland against Brazil and they couldn’t stop him, so hopefully Barcelona can’t.”

McCluskey was yesterday promoting a healthy living programme for City Building apprentices as part of his duties for Celtic’s youth set-up.

And the Celtic Boys’ Club graduate believes the success of McGeady and the likes of skipper Stephen McManus can inspire more youngsters to follow their route to the first team.

McCluskey, who scored the winning goal in the 1980 Scottish Cup final, added: “It’s great for the academy that guys like McManus, McGeady, John Kennedy have all come through, the boy (Paul) Caddis is playing, Ryan Conroy has played.

“It’s great for these kids, that’s what we are telling them every week, there is a chance to come through the academy and get in the first team, and it’s a great inspiration for them.

“I was right through from under-12s to the groundstaff and into the first team.

“They did lose their place with homegrown talent, but Tommy Burns is in charge now and he has got it right.

“He is still working hard at it and there is still a lot to be done, but we are on the right lines and I think you will see two or three more kids going through to the first team.”