Celtic winger Aiden McGeady is being urged to choose Spartak Moscow over Birmingham City.

The Russians are outbidding Birmingham for the Republic of Ireland star.

Former Hoops defender Rudi Vata specialises in the Eastern European market and was involved in the deals which saw former Hibernian striker Garry O'Connor both join and leave Lokomotiv Moscow.

Vata said: "He will get anything between £1.5million to £2million net in Russia, I can guarantee that.

"He will be able to make much more money than he would get at say, Birmingham or any team at that level in the Premier League.

"I know the mentality of the Russians, I have a lot of contacts over there. They rarely buy star players over 25 or 26. They look to bring players who are around 25 or younger and then sell them on.

"If you have a star player in countries like Belgium or France - or Scotland - who is an international then that will attract the Russian clubs and McGeady fits in to that category.

"It is a good league in Russia and it will make him a better player.

"If he stays two years he will be stronger physically and mentally.

"They will think that they can then sell him to a Premier League club for £15million, they have done that in the past.

"They know what they are doing, they know they will get the fee back."