Nothing sinister: Lennon says McGeady missed Braga match through injury. Pic: © SNS Group
Neil Lennon has said he left Aiden McGeady out of the match against Braga due to injury. The winger did not even make the bench for the Hoops 3-0 defeat in Portugal sparking speculation he has played his last game for the club.
McGeady has been consistently linked with a move away from the club in recent months and Lennon himself has admitted he believes the player wants to leave Parkhead. Spartak Moscow have already had a bid rejected for the Republic of Ireland international.
Had McGeady taken the field against Braga, he would have been ineligible to play for any other side in the competition. Lennon had said prior to the game that he would still pick the player as qualification was more important than any possible sale. After the final whistle, he insisted injury and not a potential transfer had caused him to leave McGeady out.
"He was complaining of a chronic back injury last night,” the Celtic manager said.
"Having spoken to the medical team, with the lack of training and the lack of game time he's had, I thought it best not to risk him.
"Hopefully, we'll have him for the second leg."
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The midfielder had already missed the club’s pre-season tour of North America with a hamstring problem but had recovered from that injury in time to make the flight to Portugal and train with his team-mates.
Lennon will be hoping the influential player recovers quickly, with the second leg of the qualifier taking place at Parkhead next Wednesday. The shock defeat in Portugal means Celtic need to chase the game and McGeady’s inclusion would undoubtedly help their cause.
However, the continued uncertainty about the player’s future and the fact that he will still be eligible to play for another side in Europe could prompt one of his admirers to make a firm offer.
