Villa Preparing £10m McGeady Bid?

The Daily Mail reports that Celtic's Aiden McGeady could be the subject of a £10m January bid by Aston Villa.

Sunderland boss and McGeady's fellow Irishman Roy Keane is a known admirer of the 22-year-old and the Black Cats were previously best-placed to bag the Bhoy.

Former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan was another would-be suitor waiting in the shadows, but his St James' Park exit looks to have put paid to Toon interest in the player.

Now, former Parkhead chief Martin O'Neill appears to hold all the cards.

The Sun also quotes a McGeady insider as saying, "Aiden loves playing against the best in Europe, but feels it may be time to move on.

"He is aware of interest from Newcastle and Sunderland in the past. The fact Aston Villa are now keen may appeal to him as he progressed as a youngster under Martin O'Neill."

Although a rift has repeatedly been denied, Celtic gaffer Gordon Strachan has left McGeady on the bench several times over the last couple of months.

Thus, if he's going to make a move at all, now is the most likely time. Shaun Maloney recently returned to Celtic from Villa, having failed to settle in the West Midlands, so McGeady may be a tad wary of a move to Birmingham. Stopper Carlos Cuellar recently moved from Rangers to become a Villan.

In the meantime, McGeady will have the chance to prove his worth against the cream of the Premiership when Celtic travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Tuesday. That is, of course, if fiery Strachan selects him.

Liam Black, Goal.com