Boruc-McGeady: It's over, says Strachan

Published on Saturday 7 February 2009 21:28

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan tackled head on the "altercation" between Artur Boruc and Aiden McGeady that dominated the build-up to his side's torturous 2-1 win over Queen's Park.

Ahead of turning his attention to a grim performance by his team in his post-match news conference, he chose to address what is understood to have been two punches thrown by Boruc that left McGeady with a black eye.

"Before I go any further, I'd just like to clear something up, before you ask any questions," Strachan offered unprompted. "On Thursday at the training ground there was an altercation between Artur Boruc and Aiden McGeady. That's been sorted out by me as a manager. I've spoken to the players and as far as I'm concerned it's finished, OK. Thank you."

Waiting for McGeady in the dressing room of the club's training ground 15 minutes after the pair had cross words in a training session, it is alleged that Boruc decked the unsuspecting winger with a couple of hay-makers. The breach of discipline joins a long list of controversies to dog the keeper. It follows a fine from Celtic for an unauthorised drinking session at a pre-season tournament in Rotterdam, a suspension from the Polish international team for a similar offence, and several high-profile errors as his form has slumped amid questions over his focus after the 29-year-old split from his wife and young child. And it is believed the patience of his Celtic teammates has worn thin over a perceived couldn't-give-two-hoots attitude to training and conditioning, with increasing disquiet over the latitude he has been afforded.

It is unclear whether he will be fined for his latest transgression, but he appears to be becoming a problem Celtic are no longer sure how to keep in check.