Some time ago Aiden McGeady created huge ripples in the small pond of Scottish football when he elected to represent Ireland rather than Scotland, the land of his birth. He was eligible for the Irish under the grandparent ruling and with grandparents from Donegal the young Aiden was able to turn out in the green of Ireland.

Not a lot of interest in that you might think but my God the reaction in Scotland was appalling. The Scots press turned on him with the word ‘treason’ ridiculously being bandied about and wherever the boy went he was subjected to the most vile abuse, most of it of the sectarian kind in football grounds all over Scotland.

In recent years only Neil Lennon received more verbal abuse inside Scottish football grounds than McGeady. The fact that Brian McLean, who declined Scotland in a similar vein to McGeady for Northern Ireland whilst playing for Rangers and Motherwell, received no barracking from opposition fans speaks volumes.

When he opted for Ireland Aiden McGeady said that his much loved late grandfather from Donegal was a huge influence on his decision. However he was also truthful enough to state that he believed Ireland had a far better chance of qualifying for the major tournaments than Scotland have. With qualification all but assured Aiden’s decision has been vindicated and, barring injury, Aiden will be ‘wearing of the green’ in Poland or the Ukraine this coming summer while Scotland are resigned to playing friendlies…in Cyprus.

Well done Aiden Bhoy. All of us at Parkhead are proud of you and may you do Ireland proud this summer.