Celtic manager Neil Lennon has admitted he is resigned to Aiden McGeady leaving the club and cannot now see him heading anywhere but Spartak Moscow.
Lennon spoke to the Republic of Ireland midfielder since his visit to Moscow and believes the trip has sold McGeady on the €11.5million move.
Celtic lost their final pre-season game 2-1 at home to Blackburn without McGeady being involved and Lennon, who claims he will receive “all the money” from any sale, believes the transfer could be sealed within 48 hours.
He said: “He was in yesterday and more or less said his goodbyes really so we’ll see how that develops over the next one or two days. I would probably think it will be Moscow.
“He’s going to go to Moscow in the next few days and get the deal finalised and that will be a relief in terms of putting the deal to bed because the sooner it’s done the better. I’ll get all the money.
“I won’t be relieved at Aiden going because I’ll be losing my best player and nobody wants to do that, but we feel it’s good money for a top player.
“Having spoken to him yesterday he seemed a lot more settled. He said he liked what he saw. I’d like to think the way he was talking, this is the club he will go to unless something happens last minute.”
It is understood McGeady would prefer to move to the Premier League and he has been linked with Aston Villa, managed by his former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, but Lennon doubts there will be a twist in the tale.
He added: “From what I gather it should get done over the next couple of days. It’s not England, but you can’t always get what you want in football. He’s going to a big club with a decent pedigree and it might develop him further. All we can do is wish him the best.”