Celtic Still Top In Scotland

Aiden McGeady Key To European Win?

By Tony Quinn

Celtic maintained their three-point advantage in the SPL with a convincing victory on Saturday. The champions never looked back after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's 14th-minute header, and goals from Aiden McGeady and Scott McDonald reinforced their superiority. However, there was some concern for Gordon Strachan after goalkeeper Artur Boruc was ruled out just before kick-off. The Pole was named on the team sheet before being replaced by Mark Brown and his injury will worry Strachan. Paul Hartley was also not in the squad and saw his place taken by Massimo Donati.

Scott Brown maintains Aiden McGeady could hold the key to the Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk. "For the last month I don't think anyone has managed to get close to him," Brown said. "Since I came to the club he has always been a step above everyone else. When we are defending we have always got Aiden there running 60-70 yards to take the pressure off."

Kyle Lafferty is set to become the focus of a tug-of-war before the January transfer window opens. Celtic and Rangers are preparing moves to lure the player away from Burnley. Celtic put the 20-year-old hitman under the microscope against Stoke City at the weekend amid reports Gordon Strachan is set to improve on his £500,000 offer made for Lafferty last January. Four English clubs also in the hunt for the Fermanagh-born player. Martin O'Neill wants Lafferty at Aston Villa. Lawrie Sanchez is keen to take him to Fulham to play alongside David Healy. And, West Brom and Wigan are also preparing bids.

Gordon Strachan admits he will have to make do without Shunsuke Nakamura for a few games. The Japanese midfielder has been struggling with a niggling knee ligament problem since late August. Strachan revealed that Nakamura admirably played through the pain until the decision was made in late October to give the player's knee time to recover. He missed Saturday's SPL win over Aberdeen and also the visit of Shakhtar Donetsk for a Champions League game on Wednesday. "Naka is going to be missing and he will be missing on Wednesday as well," Strachan said, "If he is there next week then absolutely fantastic, if he is not there then we will deal with it."

Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson believes the English FA should appoint former Bhoys' manager Martin O'Neill to the job next - or else look abroad. O'Neill was made the early favorite for the post but the Irishman has since reiterated his commitment to Aston Villa. Robson, who led England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990, wrote in weekly newspaper column: "In a perfect world, an Englishman would be best. Next best would be a British manager. But it's not a perfect world." Robson hopes O'Neill can still be tempted. "Scratch your head and the only 'home' manager who gets close is O'Neill, who won silverware with Leicester and did well on the international stage at Celtic."

Gordon Strachan believes Scotland's players should share the pride that thousands of fans displayed as they applauded their heroes' efforts after the last-gasp defeat by Italy last week. "I was one of the people stood there 20 minutes after the end," Strachan said. "It was a terrific performance and it shows that when we are working together as a group, supporters and players, we are formidable opposition."

John Hartson has rejected an approach from Chester City manager Bobby Williamson after the League Two club made an audacious bid for the Wales international striker. Williamson, the former Hibs and Kilmarnock manager, enquired about signing the 32-year-old former Celtic striker from West Bromwich Albion on loan, with a view to a permanent deal in January. However, Hartson, who has yet to feature for the Baggies this season and played four times on loan at Norwich, is not prepared to make the drop down the divisions to join Williamson's ambitious side. Hartson has netted more than 200 career goals and commanded combined transfer fees of around £20 million. Chester chief executive Bob Gray said: "West Bromwich Albion had agreed to John Hartson joining us on loan with a view to us signing him permanently in the January transfer window, but the player won't drop down to play in League Two."