Aiden McGeady faces a New Year’s dilemma as he bids to secure a place in Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016.

The out-of-favour Everton winger left Celtic after six years back in 2010 and now his former club have hinted that they could provide him with the first-team football he needs.

The ex-Spartak Moscow player has featured for just 45 minutes for the Toffees this season, having fallen down the pecking order at Goodison Park.

However, the 29-year-old is believed to be one of the highest-paid players at the club and any move to the Scottish Premiership would involve a major cut in wages.

“We would not be able to pay the salary that the likes of McGeady are on,” Bhoys boss Ronny Deila said.

“The difference is so unbelievably big that’s there is no chance. The wage structure would be broken 10 times if we did that.

“We have tried before to get those types of players but they get three times the salary at other places.

"We would not be able to pay the salary that the likes of McGeady are on"

“It’s also more interesting for them to play in England than Scotland. It’s tough and you never say never but it’s a different planet when you talk salaries.

“It has to be players who want to come to Glasgow and play for Celtic – like Carlton Cole. He went down a lot in salary.

“When you get someone and then they leave in the summer it becomes a tough situation afterwards. Sometimes you can do it.”

The 79-times capped Glaswegian got Ireland’s campaign off to a flyer, scoring twice in the 2-1 win in Georgia, but subsequently found himself on the bench towards the latter end of the series.

Last month O’Neill spoke about the importance of club game-time for those aiming to be on the plane to France.

He said: "Aiden McGeady was a massive part of early proceedings. And we owe an awful lot to Aiden McGeady. His goal against Georgia in Georgia was fantastic.

“His one that gave us all three points was massive for us at the time and I don't forget those particular things.

"But players do need time on the field because it is important for fitness and important for confidence and if you're doing well, the higher up you're playing in, obviously the more confident you're going to be coming into a tournament if you get picked."

Deila, whose side lead the table in Scotland but are out of the Europa League, added: “If you feel you can build a relationship with the player during the time he’s on loan then maybe you can keep him longer.

“Maybe with players like McGeady, who has been here before, when he reaches the end of his career he’ll want to come back again.

“That’s possible, of course. But I haven’t talked with him about that, although these types of names we are talking about.”