Stephen McManus is determined not to allow Celtic's title defence to be compromised by dwelling on Aiden McGeady's anticipated departure.

The captain spoke briefly but forcefully of McGeady's two-week suspension and fine for making personal insults towards Gordon after Saturday's 1-1 draw against Hearts.

On the day The Herald discovered Sunderland are still planning a £5m January bid for the outcast player, despite the recent resignation of Roy Keane, McManus insisted dressing-room morale has not been affected by the fall-out between the manager and one of the club's biggest assets. Instead, he expects a galvanising effect as Celtic attempt to preserve and even enhance their four-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Celtic play Falkirk at the Westfield Stadium then visit Ibrox for the second Old Firm derby of the season during the time of McGeady's first-team exile. The winger's decision to appeal the sanctions is almost certain to cost him his career at the club, but McManus is confident the squad can cope in his absence.

"If we let things like that affect us, we won't win the league," he said yesterday, speaking at the launch of Setanta Sports' festive football schedule. "We are responsible for winning football matches, no matter who is in or who is out. We have good players still to come in so we will see what happens. Our character has never been in question and so I don't see us being affected."

McManus was reluctant to deviate from his short statement on the McGeady issue but he did hint at a group clear-the-air session taking place at Lennoxtown before focusing on the pursuit of four championships in a row.

"We are a close bunch and people have had their opinions; now it's done and dusted," he said. "Whatever is said is said in-house. The club have issued a statement and as far as I am concerned, that's it. I am not going to sit here and make any comment on the issue, that's for the manager and Aiden.

"There are always things going on in your personal lives, not just in this instance, but we love our jobs. It can be difficult but we are professionals."

McManus is also impervious to the debate that has erupted on back pages, football phone-ins and fans' websites. "When you play for Celtic it is the nature of the beast in Scotland," he said. "The issue has been reported and that's it done. The players now have to concentrate on winning football matches. The fans will make up their own minds, phoning in and doing everything they do."

McGeady's pariah status has alerted a number of clubs to his availability, with Celtic now regarded as willing sellers. Bayern Munich have emerged as the most intriguing option, especially as they were also linked to a £9m move for Artur Boruc last night.

Newcastle United will join the bidding if they can resolve their financial issues but Sunderland are undeterred despite the suspicion they would not be appealing enough as they battle for survival in the Barclays Premier League.

Niall Quinn, the chairman at the Stadium of Light, is an admirer of the Republic of Ireland internationalist. Ricky Sbragia, the Glasgow-born interim manager, is now bookmakers' favourite to succeed Keane and would be keen on a player of McGeady's inventiveness to help provide ammunition for the fit-again striker, Kenwyne Jones.

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