Aidan McGeady was 'baffled' over referee claim

Published on Sunday 7 March 2010 23:17

CELTIC manager Tony Mowbray has insisted Aiden McGeady was not fully aware of what he was saying when he accused referee Dougie McDonald of bias in last week's Old Firm showdown.

McGeady is likely to be asked to explain his comments to the SFA's general purposes committee after he was quoted yesterday as claiming McDonald was not "impartial" during Rangers' 1-0 win over Celtic at Ibrox which put the reigning champions firmly in command of the SPL title race. McDonald's dismissal of Celtic captain Scott Brown, which resulted in a failed appeal against the decision by the Parkhead club, was the focus of McGeady's unhappiness.

"It's safe to say he wasn't impartial the other day," said McGeady. "Of course it didn't look like a red card for Scott Brown."

It is yet another twist in the ongoing feud between Celtic and the SFA but Mowbray suggested McGeady did not intend to question the integrity of McDonald.

"I had to think twice about what impartial means," said Mowbray. "I think probably Aiden got baffled by the science of it or the words. If a journalist used the word impartial to him, I'm pretty sure he didn't know what it meant."

That prompted some bemused looks among reporters as Mowbray faced questions following Celtic's 2-0 win at Falkirk yesterday. McGeady, who attended one of Scotland's leading state secondary schools in East Renfrewshire, is generally regarded as one of the more articulate SPL footballers.

"You are trying not to smile because you want to write a serious story," added Mowbray. "Don't say I'm calling him ignorant. That's how wary I am of talking. I can see the headline now: 'Mowbray says McGeady is ignorant.' I'm not going to say that.

"All I'm saying is I don't know in what context he was asked the question. If it's a clever journalist sitting there talking about impartiality, he might not have got the context right. I would be surprised if Aiden came out and criticised the official so openly, or the impartiality of them. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't. That was baffling, wasn't it?"

Mowbray professed himself satisfied with his team's performance against bottom of the table Falkirk, as on-loan Spurs striker Robbie Keane struck twice to leave Celtic ten points behind leaders Rangers.

"I thought it was a professional and controlled performance," said Mowbray. "They had isolated attempts at our goal but it was generally okay. That's what Robbie Keane does, that's why he's here, to put away the chances when they come along. He did that today.

"He had a one-on-one early on that the keeper blocked but his goals were obviously important. Goals win games. I'm happy that he contributed, of course.

"Getting him to extend his stay with us isn't something that has crossed my mind, but we'll wait and see. That's not to say no. I don't know what Robbie's thoughts are on his football career. He's a young guy still, he's contracted to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, I don't know what he thinks about his future.

"I know that, in the short term, he's here until the end of the season and hopefully he's got a few more days like today, when he makes the difference."

Falkirk manager Steven Pressley remained upbeat about his team's prospects of avoiding relegation, taking heart from their display in a defeat which leaves them three points adrift at the bottom of the pile with ten matches remaining.

"I'm disappointed with the result," said Pressley, "but do you think I could ask for any more from our players? I don't think so. I felt they were absolutely terrific. Yes, winning counts, but if you see that level of desire, commitment and ability on the ball then I thought our players were brilliant.

"I'm devastated for them. I can't ask for more from them. The difference between the teams on the day was Robbie producing two wonderful finishes and us missing a good few opportunities.

"At times, though, we were scintillating. We did all the things that I asked. We defended well, we were on the front foot, we played possession football, counter-attack football and I couldn't have demanded more. I've said all along that I'm confident we'll survive and I still am."