Charlie Mulgrew is convinced Aiden McGeady won’t be fazed by being booed on his return to Celtic Park.
But the Scotland star wants to ensure it’s an unhappy return for his good friend by helping Gordon Strachan’s side defeat the Republic.
McGeady is expected to be singled out by the Tartan Army in Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier, but Mulgrew can’t see that stopping the playmaker in his tracks. He does, however, concede that keeping McGeady quiet will go a long way to helping Scotland secure a positive result.
“I’m sure he’ll be used to the boos,” said the Celtic star. “He’s been back to Celtic Park before and got a good reception.
“He’s also been to big stadiums where he has been booed, so I don’t think it will affect him.
“Aiden is probably their main threat and their most creative player going forward. They’ve got others, like Robbie Keane, we know what Stokesy is like and there are guys like Seamus Coleman from Everton who play in the Premier League. Ireland have quality everywhere but Aiden is probably their main threat.”
Mulgrew and McGeady remain in close contact, having come through the Celtic youth ranks, and the Scotland man is pleased to see Aiden now operating in England’s top flight.
“He’s done brilliantly,” said Mulgrew. “He did well in Moscow for a few years, then he came back and signed for Everton. He’s shown how good a player he is, but I think everyone knew that before he left Celtic, anyway.
“This won’t be the first time we’ve played against each other, though, as Celtic played against Spartak Moscow when Aiden was there. I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to it and, having spoken to him and Stokesy, we know this game will be massive.”
Mulgrew faces an anxious wait to discover if he will return to Scotland’s starting line-up after suspension and then injury ruled him out of the double-header with Georgia and Poland.
Mulgrew said: “It’s a hard team to get into but that’s what the country wants. It’s better than turning up to find 10 people have pulled out and you can’t get a team together. You would rather have competition that brings out the best in people.
“There are some good players who can’t get in. Scott Brown’s the captain, and a top player, and you have Darren Fletcher from Manchester United. There’s quality in there, with people like James McArthur and Charlie Adam also waiting for a chance.
“Charlie wasn’t in the squad but he’s still a good player. It’s difficult, but competition makes for a better team.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe