By Cathal Dervan

CELTIC and Scotland star Gary Caldwell has defended his tackle on former Parkhead winger David Fernandez during his team's 2-1 win in the Scottish League clash on Sunday.

Fernandez suffered suspected cruciate ligament damage in the first half clash between the pair, but Caldwell maintained his innocence afterwards.

He said, “I'm really sorry about what happened, as I've told David, and the fact he was so badly hurt. I have never gone in to hurt any player in my whole career. I got a wee touch on the ball and unfortunately my momentum carried me into him.

“These things can sometimes happen in football but it was definitely an accident. I have played against David before. He is a fantastic player and a great guy and my fingers are crossed that everything is okay when he gets his scan.”

Manager Gordon Stra-chan also defended Caldwell and said, “He didn't try to do him, not at all. If you've played at the highest level you know when people mean to hurt you and when it is an accident.

“I've been on the receiving end of a few and I've been warned before I got them. Gary was visibly shaken. At halftime he missed some of the team talk because he went down the tunnel to see David.

“It's one of those things and football players, referees and the players on the receiving end need to accept that. Fingers crossed that David will be back playing soon.”

Strachan, meanwhile, has dismissed claims he is interested in signing David Beckham from Real Madrid and made a mockery of weekend newspaper reports to that effect after his side went 10 points clear in the league with their win at Kilmarnock.

Strachan said, “I can see the scenario. Victoria Beckham, myself and my wife Lesley sitting in the Tunnock's cafe in Uddingston, Lanarkshire. I know the rhubarb tarts are great but I don't know if it's enough to bring Becks and Victoria up here.

“What I said last week was that he is still a very good player and he can play for five more years but I can't imagine it and none of you can. But it's kept me on my toes this morning.

“And you wonder why I try to keep myself to myself and don't speak off the record.”

Kenny Miller and Shunsuke Nakamura scored as the Bhoys came from a goal down at Rugby Park to move 10 points clear of Hearts and 12 points ahead of Rangers Bobo Balde has again reiterated his happiness to stay and fight for his Celtic future despite reported interest from former boss Martin O'Neill and Aston Villa.

Balde said, “I know nothing about Aston Villa and I'm not even thinking about that. I have three years left on my contract, which is okay as I've been away for six months after having an operation, but I'm now on my way back.

“I had a good time working for Martin but I have my contract here and I have too much respect for the club to speak about O'Neill as he's no longer in charge. Playing now is not my main focus because I have to get my fitness back and I'm worrying about nothing else.

“I'm delighted to see the team doing well and I'm certainly not waiting for them to fail before I get my place back. I want the team to keep winning for as long as possible because I want the club to get as high as they can in Europe and that's why I signed a long contract.”

Fenlon Angry

SHELBOURNE boss Pat Fenlon has hit out at Derry City counterpart Stephen Kenny as the eircom League title races reaches boiling point.

Kenny, whose side beat Shels 2-0 at the Brandywell last week, has criticized Shel-bourne's attempts to get the points from their defeat to Bohs in September when the Gypsies played a suspended player.

The eircom League have taken the points off Bohs, but Shels want them to have the points awarded to themselves or the game replayed and their case is to be heard by the FAI Appeals Board.

Derry want the league decided on the pitch and last week Kenny claimed, “It will be one of the biggest scandals in Irish football history if the decision was reversed in Shels' favor.”

But Fenlon hit back and said, “The disappointing thing after the Derry game was some of the things that went on after it and before it. I think some of the comments that were in the match program were disgraceful, that were aimed at my club, and I don't think that's acceptable from anybody's point of view.

“I've kept my peace on the whole scenario and I've just had a bellyful of it with Stephen's comments in the paper about things being won on the pitch. If he's real about that and he's serious about that then he's got to look at the big picture.

“They've gained points on us this year from the Dublin City fiasco, where we were able to beat them twice and they only managed to beat them once. They've also had a player suspended for three games and they've got away with it.

“I've kept my peace on it but I can't any longer, I can't pick up newspapers any more and listen to some of the crap that's come out, particularly today from Stephen in regard to things being won on the pitch. If he's realistic about that and he looks at the big picture, well then he's got to look at the full picture, and not just look at it the way he wants to look at it.”

McGeady Heals

AIDEN McGeady has set his sights on a return to the Irish team after overcoming the freak ankle injury picked up in training the day before the Lansdowne Road draw with the Czech Republic.

Shaun Maloney has prospered in McGeady's absence from the Celtic squad, but the Irish winger is ready to battle his way back with club and country.

He told Glasgow's Evening Times, “I don't have a problem with that because when Shaun plays to his best then I think everyone saw last season what he is capable of and what he brings to the team.

“Obviously you just have to take your chance when you get it and whenever you get on the pitch. Shaun has done well and I have to do what I can now to impress the manager.

“It was disappointing to miss big games, not just the Benfica match but also the games for Ireland, too. The result and performance against Benfica was excellent and it would have been nice to have been out on the park.”

Given Training

SHAY Given returned to training with Newcastle United on Monday and could make his first team comeback on the Saturday before Ireland's November 15th clash with San Marino.

Given has been on the long term injury list following a clash with West Ham striker Marlon Harewood that left him in need of surgery for a perforated bowel.

He took a full part in Monday's session and has now penciled in the Premiership date with Manchester City on November 11th for his return.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder said, “Shay is raring to go. I want to give him two full weeks training before looking to bring him back. So City is a realistic target.”