Aiden McGeady's getting dive reputation

TONY MOWBRAY and Jim Jefferies both leapt to the defence of Celtic winger Aiden McGeady after he was booked for diving for the second time this season.

McGeady was yellow-carded by referee Willie Collum during the 3-0 win over Kilmarnock after a second-half tackle by defender Jamie Fowler.

The Irish international scored in the victory which moved Celtic three points ahead of Hibs at the top of the SPL but the after-match debate centred around the 67th minute flashpoint.

McGeady was shown a second yellow card by ref Dougie McDonald at Easter Road earlier this season after the whistler ruled his reaction to a tackle by Hibs' Paul Hanlon was simulation. Hoops manager Tony Mowbray said: "I don't know why these kinds of incidents have to be either one thing or the other. Why does it have to be definitively a penalty or a dive?

"A penalty wasn't given and we've no complaints about it but I didn't think it was a booking either.

"I get on well with Jim and Bobby Brown, they're good people and even they said the same thing. We all agreed that if the referee doesn't think it's a penalty he'd have been better just getting on with the game. He didn't need to book him.

"I thought the referee was very good, he was authoritative and he got about the pitch well.

"I'm not blasting him and I'm not complaining but it's unfair on Aiden if he's starting to get a reputation. Let's hope not.

"I work with him every day in training. He's a swift-footed player who dances with the ball.

"He gets between defenders and big defenders, of which I was one, use their physicality to try and stop him. I haven't watched it but there was body contact, between a big defender and a small striker."

Killie boss Jim Jefferies echoed Mowbray's thoughts. He said: "I didn't think it was a blatant dive and I didn't think it was worth a booking. That was what we were discussing.

"I knew the way Fowler stood up that he'd read it. He's good at that.

"Tony's right and I don't think you always have to book players if they go down in those circumstances. It was a little bit harsh."

Mowbray watched his side bounce back from the midweek defeat by Hearts to open up a three-point lead over Hibs.

That gap will shrink to one if Rangers win at Tannadice today. Mogga said: "I'll let other people decide how well or badly we're doing. We've won seven, drawn two and lost one.

"We were disappointed with the two draws against Motherwell and Dundee United but they came after we'd had international breaks when we'd 15 players away and only had half a day with them back.

"The Ibrox game looks after itself but I think we showed that day we have what it takes to compete with the team who are likely to be our biggest rivals this season. I have challenged Aiden and Shaun Maloney to score more goals for us.

"They have the talent to get into double figures so hopefully there will be a little contest between the two of them over that."

Jefferies added: "Cammy Bell came in and did really well. He has a good temperament and he showed that today. I congratulated him but he admitted that every time he turned around he had a shot to save.

"Kevin Kyle thinks he could have had a hat-trick of headers but Celtic could have been out of sight in the opening 20 or 25 minutes because they started the game really well."

Home hitman Georgios Samaras added: "Against Hearts we were a bit unlucky because the ball didn't go into the net but we couldn't allow ourselves to be disappointed. We just had to keep working hard and making chances.

"I don't feel as though I'm lacking in confidence. The manager just kept stressing the positives to me."

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