HAS AIDEN PLAYED HIS LAST GAME FOR CELTS? McGEADY v STRACHAN Star lands Old Firmban.. now fans fear he's OUT.

Byline: By James Traynor

CELTIC'S fans were stunned last night when Gordon Strachan banned Aiden McGeady from the Old Firm Christmas cracker.

And they also now fear their favourite will be sold off when the transfer window opens at the end of this month.

The latest flare-up between the pair left the manager with no option but to slap the lippy winger down and although McGeady will appeal a two-week first-team ban it looks like the end for the player.

The 22-year-old was also fined two weeks' wages - pounds 32,000 - as the fractious relationship between the two plumbed new depths. McGeady was said to be shocked by his banand he believes the action taken after a Lennoxtown meeting was "completely unjustified."

But Celtic made it clear last night that the board fully support Strachan although the fans were not lining up to back him.

They know they'll still be without injured pair Shaun Maloney and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for the Old Firm match a week on Saturday and now the loss of their favourite, McGeady, because he took on the manager could cause resentment.

But Strachan believed he had no choice. His authority was challenged and he had to act and he proved again that he is not afraid of making big decisions or taking drastic action. All the other firstteam players witnessed the row leaving the manager with no room to manoeuvre.

A strong stand had to be taken even though he knew he would be risking the wrath of sections of the support.

But Strachan's decision was brave and necessary and a club statement said: "Following a breach of club discipline, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has suspended Aiden McGeady from training with the first team for two weeks and has fined the player two weeks' wages.

"Gordon's decision has the full support of the Celtic Board of Directors."

The latest shouting match was sparked minutes after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hearts. Strachan rounded on three players, Georgios Samaras, Gary Caldwell and Scott Brown, and then turned to McGeady.

But unlike the others he refused to accept his part in the failure to win the match.

Now McGeady won't be allowed to train with the main group for two weeks and will sit out the match against Falkirk on Sunday as well as the Old Firm clash.

McGeady's agent David Holbrook said: "I can confirm that Aiden has been fined by the club and suspended."

He stressed that the Republic of Ireland international would be disappointed to miss the Old Firm derby and said: "He wants to play in that game and every Celtic game. He remains 110 per cent Celtic. He's supported them and loves them but there's a difference between how Aiden feels he's been treated by the club's hierarchy as opposed to his relationship with the club at large.

"He's as disappointed as the fans that he won't be turning out in the Old Firm game."

Holbrook would not be drawn on whether McGeady would consider his long-term future at Celtic. He said: "Let's just say we intend to appeal the decision and see what the panel decides."

CAPTION(S):

PLENTY TO PONDER: Strachan has made a brave move regarding McGeady, given how Celtic fans view him