Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus today 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.

Eduardo scored from the spot-kick to put the Gunners 1-0 up and Arsenal went on to win the game 3-1. However, Uefa announced yesterday 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.”

Aiden McGeady, who missed Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League through suspension, flew out with his Celtic team-mates this morning ahead of Thursday’s Europa League 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.”