Aiden McGeady was left battered and bloody

[Black Widow]

SOCCER hero Aiden McGeady was left battered and bloody yesterday — after the latest in a series of senseless attacks on Old Firm stars.

It’s believed the 22-year-old Celtic winger was subjected to a volley of vile sectarian abuse by three cowardly yobs before he was smashed twice in the nose.

Last night, a pal told how McGeady was badly shaken by the nightclub attack — describing him as an innocent “victim”.

The friend said: “Aiden was out for a few drinks and he was attacked without provocation. He’s pretty distressed and upset.

“There was about three of them and they started dishing out some abuse, it was pretty heavy stuff.

“One of them punched him on the face a couple of times.”

McGeady was enjoying a night out with pals in Glasgow city centre’s trendy Karbon when the neds pounced in the early hours.

It’s understood they branded him a “Fenian b******” before landing two hefty blows.

The Republic of Ireland international — already ruled out of last night’s match against Poland through injury — was said to have been left covered in blood.

But the source added: “He didn’t retaliate once and just left the club.

“It’s sad that a player like him can’t go out for a beer in midweek without something like this happening. He wasn’t breaking any curfew, it was during his time off.”

Strathclyde Police were not alerted, while Celtic last night declined to comment. Karbon — run by nightclub supremo James Mortimer — also said it was unaware of the attack.

Several Old Firm stars have been at the centre of a spate of bust-ups and vandal attacks in recent months.

And it’s not the first time McGeady has been caught up in violence on a night out.

In August, he was with Hoops pals Darren O’Dea and Scott Brown when trouble flared.

O’Dea was led off by cops in handcuffs and handed a fixed penalty fine for his part in the melee outside the Bamboo club.

Midfielder Brown was also said to have been punched, while two youths aged 18 and 19 were arrested in connection with an alleged assault.

We told in April how McGeady clashed with other revellers just hours after a 3-2 win over Old Firm rivals Rangers.

He was targeted by yobs who squared up to him and chanted “If you hate Aiden McGeady clap your hands” as he left Bamboo with team-mate Scott McDonald.

McGeady is said to have defended himself and the bust-up was over in seconds. McDonald was not involved in the scuffle.

Asked if he would be better to keep a lower profile, he said at the time: “No, not really. If you have a good week in work you go out and celebrate.

“You have to develop a thick skin but it’s not a big deal most of the time. People are either going to shake your hand or give you abuse but they won’t drive me out, not at all.”

Last month, two men appeared in court in connection with an alleged assault on Celtic coach Neil Lennon on September 1.

Worried Rangers bosses also drafted in security teams to protect the family of striker Nacho Novo after vile yobs posted his home address on an unofficial Hoops fans website.

And a host of Gers players also had their cars vandalised in a spate of sectarian attacks.

Ibrox goalie Allan McGregor and fiancee Leah Shevlin had ‘IRA’ and Celtic slogans scored over their luxury motors.

Last weekend, it was revealed team-mate Kenny Miller’s Bentley was vandalised in an acid attack in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.


the sun

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Shocking indeed