Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has no regrets about his controversial decision to leave Aiden McGeady out of Saturday's Old Firm defeat at Ibrox.
Strachan's decision to give Shaun Maloney his first SPL start of the year at the expense of the Republic of Ireland international was the main talking point after the Light Blues' 1-0 win, which took them two points clear of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions with three games remaining.
However, when one reporter alluded to the possibility the Parkhead boss might have regrets about his starting XI, he retorted, "none whatsoever," before bringing proceedings to a halt.
Seething Hoops supporters besieged radio and newspaper phone-ins and fans` message boards criticising their manager`s surprising team selection.
At the pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday's visit of Dundee United Strachan, as usual, refused to give any credence to fans' forums.Earlier, the former Southampton and Coventry boss had reiterated his belief there was little wrong with his side`s performance on Saturday.
"That was the best we had played against Rangers in the league," he said. "We were unfortunate not to take something from the game. I can't ask any more. The players can be downhearted abut the result but they can have no regrets about their performance.
"If it had been an embarrassing performance, nothing had happened and the other team had dominated and had chances (then maybe they would have regrets) but that didn't happen so it was easy for them to come in and enjoy training.
"If we handle the pressure like we did on Saturday, in terms of commitment, drive, pride and variation of play, then I haven't got a problem. It's all about scoring goals then."
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point 8 Ginger, must have blown Celtics plan out of the water too, im sure they set out too score!!!!!!!!! WATP
Pt5...that will be 3 more tricks than Mendes then
Ginger....top post m8.(Pt8)...like a man who can discuss footie at a higher level.....Thats Paul G out....
Pretty much Ginger.
Also the fact that Celtic won last time they played the gers without him and O'dea not being as supportive as what Naylor usually is, all probably influenced his decision.
And why do some fans always demand explanations when they don't win? It makes zero difference and whatever the manager said you'd still have some green h-un slagging him off.
There's one thing you all seem to be missing here - Strachan chose the team he thought would win, because he probably guessed that the rangers team talks in the build up to the game would have centred on marking MCGEADY, and closing him down. When Strach went with Maloney at the start, it blew rangers' plan out of the water.. SIMPLE!!
pt2 jeanmakin you never went to school english is our main launguage that includes spelling and paul you know and i know mc geady is a quality player hes a pain in the arse and knows hes good but hes not bigger than the club no one is as rangers have proven
He didn't play. Get over it.
Mc geady the 3 trick pony. He is so predictable anyway.
Wouldnt expect any other reaction from the likes of SMALL PAUL G and company,but it doesnt disguise the fact that strachan got it seriously wrong.Omitting the best player in sctoland yet again.Then show total disregard to the thousands of Celtic fans through out the world by being so disrespectful to their comments.Celtic fans and their club are bigger than strachan will ever be.GO NOW
Aiden McGREEDY more like. No wonder he was left out.
eidy mcgeedy is rotten aswell no match for super stevie davis
LOL The wee runt mc geady wouldnt have made any difference anyway. Celtic were rotten
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