Source: Team_Talk
McGeady vital in Mowbray's plans
The Republic of Ireland midfielder was a stand-out in Saturday's 3-1 home win over St Mirren which took the Hoops two points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the SPL, albeit the Ibrox men have a game in hand.[LNB]After St Mirren defender Chris Innes had turned Scott McDonald's shot past his own goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, McGeady set up Georgios Samaras for number two and then crossed for McDonald's second-half clincher.[LNB]The Celtic boss will now turn his attention to a more difficult prospect, beating the Israeli side who are top of Group C with nine points while the Parkhead men languish at the bottom with two points, both having played four games.[LNB]To qualify, Celtic have to win against Hapoel and then beat Rapid Vienna away while looking for second-placed Hamburg to lose both their remaining fixtures.[LNB]It was to that unlikely end that Mowbray replaced McGeady with Niall McGinn with a couple of minutes remaining on Saturday.[LNB]"I took him off to make sure he wasn't injured," the former West Brom and Hibernian manager said.[LNB]"Aiden McGeady is an extremely talented individual, as we can all see, and a very important player for our team and our club.[LNB]"I thought the game was finished and we needed him for the next game.[LNB]"But the European game on Wednesday is going to be tough.[LNB]"They are a very talented, technical team who can move the ball around the pitch and score goals.[LNB]"But we are going to strive for consistency over the next couple of weeks."[LNB]While McGeady all but picks himself for the Hapoel game, Mowbray will once again wrestle with the ongoing dilemma that is striker Marc-Antoine Fortune.[LNB]The £3.8million summer signing from Nancy has failed to shine since arriving in Scotland and has scored just twice in 10 appearances, a double in a 5-2 home win over St Johnstone in August.[LNB]After drawing another blank against Dundee United last week, Fortune was demoted to substitute for the visit of the Paisley side. He replaced Georgios Samaras after 65 minutes and may feel relieved that the two good chances he missed in the closing stages of the game did not do any damage to Celtic's title hopes.[LNB]Mowbray is well aware that the spotlight shines more intensely on Fortune with each passing week.[LNB]"Fortune needs to build confidence and he needs minutes on the pitch but the bottom line is he has to do the business," the Parkhead boss said.[LNB]"He knows that but he has a great work ethic and his quality will shine through in the end.[LNB]"I've constantly said that I have no fears for Fortune.[LNB]"He is a topic of conversation because he cost a few quid but I will let him do his talking on the pitch.[LNB]"Samaras deserved to play against St Mirren. Before he went away on the international break he had been outstanding for the team, particularly in Hamburg, where he was almost unplayable.[LNB]"But he had been away and played twice, he had done a lot of travelling and had the emotional euphoria of qualifying for the World Cup which is why I left him out last week.[LNB]"But generally, he has deserved to start."[LNB][LNB] Celtic 8/11, Draw 12/5, Hapoel Tel Aviv 10/3
