Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insists he could ask no more from his players after their quest for their fourth title suffered a blow when they were held to a goalless draw by Hibernian at Easter Road.

The champions went in to the game knowing a win would take them back top over Rangers on goal difference, but despite dominating most of the 90 minutes the Hoops could not find a way through a resolute Leith defence and the result left the Ibrox side two points clear.

Celtic host Hearts at Parkhead next week in the last game of the season while Rangers travel to Dundee United knowing any sort of win would guarantee them their first title in four years.

Strachan, however, defended his side's performance, saying: "I could not have asked for any more from the players. I went round them all and said they could not do any more than that apart from put the ball in the back of the net.

"If I said to Aiden McGeady, Paul Hartley and Shunsuke Nakamura, I want you to keep the ball all day and make chances, get to the touchline, get corner kicks and free-kicks, then they did that.

"I can't change what I asked from them. What you hope for is goals and that has been our failing in the last two away games."