He added: “It definitely helps that quite a number of us are around the same age and doing OK. It’s a very young squad now compared to a few years ago.

“We have similar things in common and hopefully we’ll all reach our peak here which is great for the future of the club.”

Even skipper Stephen McManus is only 26, and McGeady paid tribute to the Parkhead defender.
 
“Mick was born to lead,” he said. “He was captain through the youths and reserves so he knew what it was all about, although it was a big step up to be captain of Celtic last year.

“But he handled it brilliantly. There was a lot of pressure on him last season after we had won the title the previous two years.

“Considering how young he was for a captain he had a big role to play, but his form was terrific. He had a great season, but even so I think you could see the relief on his face when we won the title on the last day of the season.

“He’s doing a great job, and he’s been captain of Scotland already as well and George Burley was talking about him in glowing terms recently.”

Being talked about in glowing terms is something McGeady can relate to after a terrific season himself, but there’s still no way he considers himself a first pick for manager Gordon Strachan.

“There is far too much competition for places here for that,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone is guaranteed a place here now.”