McGeadygate could yet end well
Last updated : 17 December 2008 By Mikbhoy
Aiden McGeady's agent insists that his client has not necessarily burned his bridges at Celtic despite refusing to accept the punishment handed out by manager Gordon Strachan yesterday.
Republic of Ireland midfielder McGeady was yesterday suspended from first team duty for a fortnight and fined two weeks wages after the well publicised dressing-room bust-up with Strachan following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hearts in the SPL match at Celtic Park.
According to reports Samaras, Brown and Caldwell were berated by the manager for their poor performances and then he concentrated his wrath on McGeady. Allegedly, and not for the first time it's been said, Aiden reacted badly to this personal criticism and fired some stinging personal remarks back in Strachan's direction.
McGeady's agent, Holbrook, who had earlier denied any knowledge of an incident between the Celtic boss and his client, announced that the player would be contesting the judgement handed out and that he himself would be investigating the appeals procedure and studying the fine details of Aiden's contract.
The agent said that he wishes to clarify whether the club have a right to insist that the player attends his place of employment whilst he is suspended. "I presume Celtic are acting as they are entitled to do and we are taking action as we are entitled to do." he said "I am checking a lot of small print in his contract and making sure that everything has been done according to the club's rules and the rules of the SFA and SPL. To my understanding, Aiden has been suspended for training from all squads but I will be clarifying whether his presence is required at any of Celtic's premises and that is the next stop."
Holbrook stands by the right of appeal for his client and insists that the laws which govern employment in this country apply to all employers and employees - even football clubs and highly paid footballers. "It is football but it could be office work or shipbuilding. Aiden is an employee of Celtic Football Club like any other and just because he is a footballer doesn't mean he doesn't have rights. It doesn't mean he just has to take this lying down."
"I am now acting on his behalf in an official disputes procedure with Celtic. There is an appeal process for decisions like these and he is taking up that option." he added "There is a dispute but that is not to say that the grievance will not be reconciled, I don't know if you can say there is no chance of a reconciliation"
