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Strachan feeling the heat after old firm loss
1st April 2008
STRACHAN FEELING THE HEAT AFTER OLD FIRM LOSS
After losing 1-0 to Rangers at the weekend, Gordon Strachan knows that he needs a miracle if Celtic are going to regain their SPL title this season. Strachan?s two titles, two cups and two journeys into the last 16 of the Champions League seem a distant memory as the pressure from the Celtic support begins to grow.
Eyebrows were raised when the Celtic manager decided to drop top scorer Scott McDonald for the crunch match. Nakamura?s inclusion in the starting eleven was another bone of contention among certain followers of the Hoops who believe the Japanese playmaker isn?t suited to the physical Old Firm matches.
But up until Thomson?s goal Strachan?s tactics seemed to be working. Celtic were passing the ball well and were getting a huge amount of joy down the flanks, particularly through McGeady. Even Nakamura was looking up for the battle. The Celts could have been ahead through Scott Brown but the midfielder couldn?t find a way past McGregor.
Then a killer blow for Strachan. On the stroke of half-time Thomson played a lovely one-two with Darcheville before slotting the ball coolly under the advancing Boruc. Celtic fans may argue that if Paul Hartley had not played 94 minutes for Scotland midweek he may have been able to track Thomson?s run but it was a well worked goal finished off by one of the best players on the park.
Once Rangers went in front Celtic didn?t ever look like getting back into the match. Allan McGregor was rarely called into action, except to make a tremendous save from a speculative effort from Andreas Hinkel that was heading straight for the top corner. Rangers probably shaded the match and deserved the three points. Celtic huffed and puffed but they couldn?t find a way past the Rangers defence with Weir, Cueller and McGregor all in impressive form.
After defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup and another Old Firm loss there are more than a few Celtic fans who would like this to be Strachan?s final season in charge. That is unlikely to be the case as the Celtic boss seems to have unanimous support from the men that matter in the boardroom, namely Dermot Desmond and John Reid.
It seems increasingly likely that the SPL title will be heading back to Ibrox and if Rangers build on their success this season then Strachan will have a difficult task if he is still at Parkhead next term. However there is still a lot of football to be played this season and the easiest way for Strachan to silence the critics would be to take six points out of six from the two remaining Old Firm matches.
VITAL WIN FOR DONS IN RACE FOR TOP SIX
Chris Maguire?s last-minute winner against Caley Thistle gave the Dons? chances of finishing in the top six a massive boost. The 5,655 in attendance at the Caledonian Stadium were treated to seven goals and two red cards in an exciting match, although it will have been the away supporters who left the happiest with the Dons running out 4-3 winners.
Hearts kept their hopes of reaching the top six alive with a 1-0 win over Dundee United. However Falkirk could only manage a goalless draw with Kilmarnock and dropped two precious points in their quest to finish in the top half.
Aberdeen?s match with Falkirk next Monday night will have a huge bearing in deciding which team grabs the sixth spot. However if Hearts beat Kilmarnock next Saturday then the dream would be all but over for the Dons because of the Tynecastle club?s superior goal difference.
GET SET FOR GRAND NATIONAL
It is expected that over £350 million will be gambled on next week?s John Smith?s Grand National. Cloudy Lane seems to be most people?s early favourite. However the odds go out of the window for the National as anything can happen on the day. In the last one hundred years only eleven favourites have gone on to win the race so you are best to just pick a horse with a name you like and hope for the best.
TALKING A GOOD GAME
?He?s six-foot two, brave as a lion, strong as an ox and quick as lightning. If he was good looking you?d say he has everything.?
Derby boss Paul Jewell describing Cristiano Ronaldo.
?If someone wants to buy Diego, they have to kill me first.?
Werder Bremen president Jurgen Born insists the playmaker is not for sale.
?I?m going to celebrate this win by going out with my wife ? I haven?t taken her out for weeks.?
Kevin Keegan after guiding Newcastle to their first win since he returned to the club.
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