Spartak hopes over Aiden McGeady

SPARTAK Moscow were last night optimistic that they have persuaded Aiden McGeady to sign a money-spinning contract to make him the icon of the club's revival.

"As you know he is now in Moscow looking around the city," said the club's sporting director Dmitry Popov. "In the next few days he must make up his mind. I have no idea who he is going to take advice from.

"But one thing I know for sure - this footballing version of The Forsyte Saga is going to end soon."

Popov's words echo the frustration at both the Russian club and Celtic over the time it has taken to seal a deal with McGeady - if this is what happens.

Club officials have shown McGeady and his girlfriend top end oligarch-style penthouses to convince him that Moscow is no longer the 'hardship posting' it was seen as in Soviet times.

A Spartak source said the decision rests entirely with the player, and that all other issues are resolved.

It was also claimed there had been "significant progress" on talks over his contract and that McGeady was "satisfied" with what he saw in Moscow before his return to Britain yesterday.

Another said: "The only negative factor was the appalling smog that has engulfed the city in recent days."

The extreme Saudi-style heat and noxious pollution gives an unreal impression of a city more famed for its long and punishing winters

Spartak now languish eighth in the Russian premier league, and are in urgent need of a boost to restore the club's fortunes at the halfway mark in the season.

If he does sign for Spartak, McGeady has his work cut out to prove to the fans that he is a good buy.

The player has been dubbed 'McGreedski' over his 40,000-a-week wage demands, higher than any other Spartak team member.

Meanwhile, Celtic defender Jos Hooiveld has assured fans the new-look team will continue to improve once they get to know each other.

Speaking after the team's Champions League exit at the hands of Braga, he said: "I think we can only improve. With every game you can see improvement.

"The first game against Philadelphia was far below Celtic's standards. Slowly but surely we are building up the Celtic standards."

Hooiveld, 27, added: "The team spirit is good but it's not automatic at the moment - knowing when the guy wants the ball or wants to come in, is he turning left or dropping off? That's not there yet.

"We have to practise that and we haven't had many times to practise with the whole group. After the Braga game we only had one training session with the whole group. If we get in a rhythm, that can grow. I can't wait to get in a rhythm with this squad."