Soccer:Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady is relishing a Champions League return to Parkhead. The Spartak Moscow player has been back at Celtic Park as a fan since his move to Russia two years ago and admits it will be strange returning as a player.

Spartak visit the east end of Glasgow on December 5th in the final game of a group that also contains Barcelona and Benfica. McGeady told Celtic’s official website: “I’m delighted with the draw and it will be great to be back.

“I’ve been back a few times to Celtic Park as a fan to watch games, so to go back as a player will be a different experience, but it’s one that I’m looking forward to. I’m still in contact with people at the club and I’ve still got friends at the club but it will be strange going into the away dressing room.

“That’s where I used to get changed up until I was about 18, when I was in the reserves. But I still follow the team and keep up-to-date with how they’re doing because Celtic’s still my team. I grew up supporting them and they’re the team I grew up in.”

McGeady was on the opposite side when the two teams last met, as Celtic won a Champions League qualifier in 2007. “I never thought at the time that I would end up signing for Spartak but it’s funny how football works out,” he said.

“But that game against Spartak was one of the great European nights at Celtic Park. “It’s been four years since Celtic have been in the Champions League. They’ve waited a long time to get back to the top level of European football and it’s really well-deserved.”