The Bhoys Advance To The Fifth Round Of The Cup

Celtic 2 Dundee 1

Back in the squad for the first time since his row with manager Gordon Strachan, Aiden McGeady proved decisive in Celtic's 2-1 win over Dundee in the Fourth Round of the Homecoming Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Down by one after just 14 minutes thanks to a mistimed clearance by Artur Boruc, the Bhoys rallied well, Scott Brown scoring the equalizer from close range in the 37th minute.

McGeady showed why he'd been missed for the past few weeks when, after cutting into the box from the left, he curled a nice ball past Dundee's goalkeeper Rab Douglas to give Celtic the lead.

The goal seemed to calm the team down and they came out looking more confident in the second half and, though they missed some great chances, they held on for the win.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was pleased with the win, and his team's progress to a Fifth Round home matchup with either Peterhead or Queens Park, though he rued the chances they missed: "We made enough chances and we're annoyed we didn't score more - our finishing was not at its best.

"What we didn't expect was the first goal, that was for sure, but the players sorted it out and got in front.

"We tried to get McGeady wider today because that's where he's most potent. But, if we want him out there, we must give him the ball.

"We're asking him to open up teams three or four times in a game and others can take advantage.

"There were a lot of things we were pleased with and the guys who came in needed a game."

Former Scotland, West Ham United and Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has been handed a four-month suspended jail sentence this week after being found guilty of head-butting another man outside a wine bar in Douglas on the Isle of Man last year.

Twenty-seven-year-old Massimo Donati looks unlikely to be making a move to Italy after Serie A side Atalanta ruled out a transfer in the January transfer window.

Donati had expressed interest in returning to the Italian team after failing to secure a regular first team slot this season, but Atalanta coach Luigi Del Neri told Italian television channel Mediaset that he could, "exclude Donati's arrival."

Shunsuke Nakamura has dedicated himself to Celtic's cause this week despite suffering from knee and groin problems, saying that, "Celtic are fighting for the title, so I can't rest."

"I'm only human and it's tough. I'm trying not to think about it.

"When you reach 30 you often get pain in the knees and ligaments."