Aiden McGeady, your time has come

IT must have been more than 10 years ago that I first witnessed the mesmerising football talents of young Aiden McGeady. A scrawny lad of nine who looked as if he could be blown over by a gust of wind, he played centre of midfield for Our Lady of the Missions against Saint Anthony's in a semi-final for one of the Glasgow primary school cups.
The match was played on the huge Ashfield Juniors pitch near Possil, and Aiden's young opponents from Govan had obviously been told to pay him close attention. He was at all times marked by two players, but repeatedly managed to spin away to spray passes with his right and left feet or embark on lung-bursting dribbles.
It was clear then that he was something special. The Celtic scout desperately trying to engage Aiden's dad John in conversation obviously thought so.
But Mr McGeady, a former winger himself with Sheffield United in the mid-1970s, was adamant his son would not be rushed.
At the time, Aiden played 11-a-side for his school on a Saturday and seven-a-side with Govanhill Cubs on a Sunday.
It was not unknown even then for scouts and admiring coaches to take video cameras to his games to capture images of this phenomenon in action.
Not that he was the only promising player on show with Davie Docherty's Govanhill side. Several of his then teammates were later signed up by senior sides, including Mark Cassidy by Celtic and Richard Buckley by Aberdeen.
But it was clear that Aiden was the real star in the making. While the careers of others ultimately stuttered before fizzling out, I wasn't the only one who felt this young lad could go all the way to the top.
From then on I made a point of monitoring his progress. Liam Brady made a determined effort to take him to Arsenal, while Alex Ferguson tried to attract him to Manchester United.
However, from a selfish viewpoint I was delighted when Aiden decided to sign for MY club, Celtic. Which just happened to be the club his whole family followed, not least his Uncle Pat.
Despite, like Aiden, boasting Donegal connections, I had mixed feelings about him choosing to play for the Republic of Ireland.
I was well aware he had been bounced into the choice by the Scottish Schools Football Association's ridiculous decision to snub him, and also by the persistent encouragement of Packy Bonner among others.
But I knew his decision would attract the wrath of the sizeable minority in Scottish society who regard affiliation to Ireland as an affliction deserving of suspicion, if not downright hatred.
Aiden's decision showed courage, stubborness and a touch of impetuosity; attributes which he has continued to display throughout his Celtic career.
This twinkle-footed ball juggler did not linger long in Celtic's Youth or Reserve sides before being thrust into the first team - a meteoric elevation which he marked, fittingly, with a stunning debut goal against Hearts at Tynecastle.
For a while, there seemed to be no stopping Aiden. Against AC Milan in the Champions League, he dazzled Coloccini and Nesta with his footwork.
But he soon learned that most professional opponents were determined to nullify his strengths rather than admire them. And they were quick to take advantage of his failings.
Aiden's form suffered as every loss of possession was met by a chorus of harrumphs from large sections of the Celtic Park "faithful".
His nadir came in Bratislava, where his distressing performance in the shattering 5-0 defeat was topped by a horrendous miss in front of an open goal.
I said at the time that Aiden had to work harder on his weaknesses: his tendency to show too much of the ball to opponents; an unwillingness to put in a proper defensive shift when required; plus the glaring requirement to work like a beast in the gym and training ground to improve his strength and speed.
Lesser lads may have crumbled after such a setback. But Aiden, remember, has courage and stubborness.
Plus an impetuosity he displayed to good effect against Rangers in the back-to-back wins at Celtic Park last autumn which transformed Celtic's season.
Unfortunately, Aiden later followed up a match-winning performance against Motherwell at Fir Park by sustaining a serious injury. His season, to all intents and purposes, was over.
For an impatient lad like himself, the lengthy recuperation must have been tortuous. But it is clear that he used his time well.
Aiden is now clearly stronger and faster than he was last season. He has been Celtic's stand-out performer since July. And he has certainly played more than any other outfield player, barely missing a minute of the club's lengthy pre-season schedule.
In my opinion, he has been Celtic's man of the match in each of the first three league matches of the season.
His passes to set up Stilian Petrov's goals against Hearts and St Mirren were sublime. Aiden was desperately unlucky not to score against the Saints.
And his determination to chase back and tackle against Kilmarnock was exemplary. But much more of the same is needed.
There was a time when I feared Aiden would ultimately tumble into the dreaded "luxury player" category. A Saviola or Juninho Paulista, trusted only to attack and not defend. Claiming the right to operate only in the illusory "hole" between the forward line and midfield. Feigning indifference whenever opponents gain possession.
Such players are seldom trusted by more demanding managers who know that 11 men have more chance of winning a game than 10 and a half.
But Aiden McGeady is now in the Celtic team on merit as a fully-fledged midfielder. He is an essential component of Gordon Strachan's side, not a luxury.
His ball retention has improved. His end product has improved. His physique and pace has improved. His defending has improved.
In the absence of Shaun Maloney, Aiden has the chance to make himself an automatic first pick for Celtic this season. And for many seasons to come.
Now, ladies and gentleman, sit back and enjoy the show:
IT'S AIDEN TIME!