Aiden is ready for return to Paradise

Former Celtic fans' favourite Aiden McGeady is relishing the prospect of a Champions League return to Parkhead.

Loading Comments
Share
Print

The Spartak Moscow player has been back at Celtic Park as a fan since his £9.5million move to Russia two years ago and admits it will be strange returning as a player.

Spartak visit the east end of Glasgow on December 5 in the final game of a group that also contains Barcelona and Benfica.

McGeady said: "I'm delighted with the draw and it will be great to be back.

"I've been back a few times to Celtic Park as a fan to watch games, so to go back as a player will be a different experience, but it's one that I'm looking forward to.

"I'm still in contact with people at the club and I've still got friends at the club but it will be strange going into the away dressing room.

"That's where I used to get changed up until I was about 18, when I was in the reserves.

"But I still follow the team and keep up-to-date with how they're doing because Celtic's still my team.

"I grew up supporting them and they're the team I grew up in."

McGeady was on the opposite side when the two teams last met, as Celtic won a Champions League qualifier in 2007.

"I never thought at the time that I would end up signing for Spartak but it's funny how football works out," he said.

"But that game against Spartak was one of the great European nights at Celtic Park.

"It's been four years since Celtic have been in the Champions League. They've waited a long time to get back to the top level of European football and it's really well-deserved."

He added: "It's a difficult group. Benfica are a top team and they got to the quarter-finals last year. They've got a lot of young players who are getting touted for big-money moves.

"Obviously Barcelona speak for themselves, and they're favourites to win the group. We've got a good team ourselves. We're looking forward to six big games."

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

100804

Have you got a story?

Contact the news desk on 0141 302 6520 or email news@eveningtimes.co.uk

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Latest looks and shopping news

Latest looks and shopping news

Fashion

Read all about the promising young fashion designer from Glasgow whose little black dress is already a sell-out at M&S

Michelle McManus
Ask the Doctor - Help and advice about medical problems from Dr George Crooks

Ask the Doctor

Help and advice about medical problems from Dr George Crooks

Pothole Watch - Keeping you up to date with all the latest stories, photos and comments on Glasgow’s pesky potholes

Sinking streets:

Pothole Watch

Keeping you up to date with all the latest stories, photos and comments on Glasgow’s pesky potholes

Laying down the Law - Ask Austin Lafferty for legal advice on everything from debt to divorce

Laying down the Law

Ask Austin Lafferty for legal advice on everything from debt to divorce