AIDEN McGEADY has come of age this season. The leading candidate to be Scotland's Player of the Year award stole all the headlines this weekend with a scintillating performance at Pittodrie.

But what has been more impressive than the midfielder's tricks and turns is his consistency throughout the campaign.

McGeady leaving his marker crumpled on the turf after twisting this way then that way isn't anything new. What has been fresh in recent months, and epitomised at Aberdeen, is the way in which he has added the deft, final touch to the move.

"In the past I would have two or three good games in a row followed by two or three bad ones," admitted McGeady. "This season I have been playing well over a longer period.

"The main thing is I'm setting up a lot of goals, which is what I am paid to do."

Although pleased with the manner in which he has sustained his form this season, McGeady couldn't hide his delight at the jig which set up Celtic's memorable fourth goal at the weekend.

Having just returned from holding his own for the Republic of Ireland against Brazil, he added his own touch of flamboyance to proceedings against Aberdeen and he was thrilled that his bold attempt paid off.

"I always try tricks, and to cap that off by setting up a goal makes it even better," he said. "It was a fantastic moment and it's something I would normally only try in training, so for it to happen in a game is even better."

Celtic have now scored 10 goals in their last two outings and a team that seemed insipid in December appears to have been revitalised.

The January transfer window afforded Gordon Strachan the luxury of going out and bringing new faces into the club, and it seems to have had the desired effect.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink didn't find the net at the weekend but appears sharper than he has for months, while the team as a whole is beginning to find some fluency.

Given the fixture overload, particularly next month, Celtic could be hitting form at the most critical point of the championship race.

"I think maybe the new signings have given people the motivation they might have needed," McGeady told the Celtic View. "You know now that if your performances drop, there will be someone standing, ready to step in.

"That might not have been the case in the past, but we have strengthened and the manager has a lot of options that he can draw on now.

"It's good to have new faces in and it does give everyone a boost.

"The fans get excited because they know that the manager has brought in some real quality, and it's great for the team to have fresh faces and more options."

Celtic invested heavily this summer in their new training ground academy in Lennoxtown and it's money that appears to have been well spent.

Shunsuke Nakamura and McGeady, arguably Celtic's two most influential performers and the two players the Hoops could well attract considerable interest for, are the figures most likely to loiter on the training pitches long after the cones and whistles have been packed away.

"I have been working on my crossing and finishing in particular," said McGeady.

"The fact that we have the training ground helps a lot and you don't have to be back at the park for a certain time and can just work away when you want to.

"Obviously by practising, you'll master that particular skill and like I said, I've been focusing on crossing and finishing, working with my left and right foot."

McGeady will be in good company next week when Celtic host Barcelona in the Champions League.

"It's the biggest game of the season for us so far," said the winger.

"Every single player is great on the ball, from the front two all the way back to the goalkeeper and it's tough to get the ball from them.

"It's never going to be a game where there are two teams lumping the ball up the pitch and that's always nice from a neutral's point of view."