Venus sidesteps Eduardo row

Tue, 15 Sep 15:00:15 2009

Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus on Wednesday refused to become embroiled in UEFA's controversial decision to quash Eduardo's two-game ban.

Croatia striker Eduardo was initially suspended for allegedly diving to win a penalty against the Hoops in their Champions League play-off round second leg at the Emirates at the end of last month. However, UEFA announced on Monday the ban had been overturned on appeal.

Before flying out of Glasgow airport for Thursday night's Europa League opener against Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Israel, Venus said: "The game is gone. We got beaten, we got knocked out, so we are where we are. UEFA have made the decision in the best interests of what they thing is right; they changed their mind on whatever evidence they have so you have got to go with that."

Midfielder Aiden McGeady, who missed Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League through suspension, joined his Hoops team-mates at check-in.

Niall McGinn - the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international who made his Celtic debut as McGeady's replacement - also travelled.

Venus was glad to have McGeady back for what he insists will be a difficult game.

He said: "Aiden's a good player, an important part of the squad and we want all our players available. We would like to do well in this competition; we want to get through the group.

"But it's going to be a difficult game; they are a good footballing team, well-organised and they try to find the gaps. We would like to win every game.

"We know it's not easy away from home in Europe but we'd like a win to get us up and running.

"We have to be more conservative away from home but we are looking forward to it."

 

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  1. john you daft hun - the difference being McGeady took­ his punishment Eduardo didn't accept any blame;­ Also the Eduardo dive was missed by the ref and a goal­ was scored, McGeady's was seen by the official and­ play was not affected...but really go on spewing stuff­ about Irish lads..

    From seaniebhoy163, on Tue 15 Sep 9:06PM

  2. sscotty you are some mug pal! Quote 'i hope he­ brakes he's leg again' you fool. Are you­ actually paying attention to the rest of the world or­ are you so blinkered that make stupid comments about a­ situation you clearly no nothing about. Dive or no­ dive, cheating the ref or not the simple fact is­ it's been going on for years... prime example­ Ronaldo, and because of the ‘’super sensation’’ he­ brought to the rules 'Intent' not great even i­ know it's load old @#$% but to ban a player that­ was only following UEFA ruling.... Why do you think­ they over turned there decision? As for the leg brake­ thing that comment is worst than diving itself.

    From John-Paul, on Tue 15 Sep 1:12PM

  3. when eduardo gets accused of taken a dive he is called­ a cheat but when irish boy mcgeady does it the paranoid­ mob defend him. the tims are the biggest two faced rats­ you will ever meet/ENGLISH SAM

    From john, on Tue 15 Sep 12:47PM

  4. #2 TWATT

    From arkaig, on Tue 15 Sep 12:43PM

  5. McFaggots are already starting to whine. LOL

    From Fergie_in_2_Years_Time, on Tue 15 Sep 12:42PM

  6. eduardo is a cheat, uefa are cheats. I hope the @#$%­ gets his leg broke again, right at the baw bag

    From sscotty, on Tue 15 Sep 12:34PM

  7. when are the SFA going to deal with that diving rat­ mcgeady /ENGLISH SAM

    From john, on Tue 15 Sep 12:15PM

  8. good news about MCGEADY::BUT NO SUPRISE FROM UEFA­ DECISION WIFF EDUARDO:::THE FANS YET AGAIN BEING­ MUGGED::HAIL;HAIL

    From UB40,LOCHEE, on Tue 15 Sep 12:09PM
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