McCluskey tips McGeady to torment Barcelona

McGeady impressed in a 1-0 defeat for the Republic of Ireland against the South Americans last month and the 21-year-old has been in sensational form for the Hoops ever since, setting up five goals and scoring once in the past three games.

McCluskey, who scored for Celtic in a European Cup win over Real Madrid in 1980, now believes McGeady can put Barca to the sword in the Champions League first-leg clash at Parkhead tomorrow.

"He has been doing it lately and I really think we can get a goal or two out of something Aiden creates," McCluskey said.

"I think they might have been watching some videos of him and I'm sure they might give him a bit of rough treatment and take him out for special attention.

"But Aiden has been unbelievable this year. I watched him for Ireland against Brazil and they couldn't stop him, so hopefully Barcelona can't."

McCluskey was yesterday promoting a healthy living programme for City Building apprentices as part of his duties for Celtic's youth set-up and the Celtic Boys' Club graduate believes the success of McGeady and the likes of skipper Stephen McManus can inspire more youngsters to follow their route to the first team.

McCluskey, who scored the winning goal in the 1980 Scottish Cup final, added: "It's great for the academy that guys like McManus, McGeady, John Kennedy have all come through, Paul Caddis is playing and Ryan Conroy has played.

"It's great for these kids, that's what we are telling them every week, there is a chance to come through the academy and get in the first team, and it's a great inspiration for them.

"I was right through from under-12s to the ground staff and into the first team.

"They did lose their place with homegrown talent, but Tommy Burns is in charge now and he has got it right.

"He is still working hard at it and there is still a lot to be done, but we are on the right lines and I think you will see two or three more kids going through to the first team."

Meanwhile, Barca striker Samuel Eto'o wants an end to the talk about firing beleaguered coach Frank Rijkaard, whose position has come under scrutiny after inconsistent play this season.

"With him we've won everything and we'll return to winning just about everything again," Eto'o said. "It's a lack of respect that there is talk of replacing him halfway through the season."

Rijkaard guided Barcelona to league titles in 2005 and 2006 – when the club also won the Champions League.

But the Catalan club failed to win a trophy last season, surrendering the league title to Real Madrid after losing to Liverpool in the first knockout stage of the Champions League. They now trail Madrid by five points in La Liga.