Aiden McGeady close to Celtic departure after sitting out US tour

Aiden McGeady's departure from Celtic has edged closer, with the Republic of Ireland player not part of the squad which departed for a pre-season tour of the United States today. Celtic claim McGeady has a thigh injury but are aware of interest from Aston Villa in the winger's services. McGeady is keen to test his ability on a higher stage than the SPL and would be agreeable to being reunited with Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager who handed the then teenager his Celtic debut in 2004. Birmingham City made a bid for McGeady in January but are now understood to have cooled their interest. Emile Heskey has been suggested as a potential makeweight in any Villa move for McGeady but Celtic are likely to demand a cash payment – possibly as much as £8m – for the 24-year-old. Neil Lennon, Celtic's newly appointed manager, would benefit from such funds as he oversees a squad overhaul. McGeady, Stephen McManus, Georgios Samaras and Artur Boruc are the players whose departures are set to raise money for Lennon. Fiorentina tonight announced they had agreed terms on a €2m (£1.6m) move for Boruc, subject to a medical for the Polish goalkeeper. Celtic confirmed the arrival of Joe Ledley on a four-year contract from Cardiff City earlier today but Lennon is virtually resigned to missing out on a loan move for Jimmy Bullard. The manager is close, however, to completing a deal for the Mexico international midfielder Efraín Juárez.