Post by Taxigirl on Nov 26, 2005 12:23:46 GMT
soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=186252&cc=5739
KO - 15:00 UK - Celtic Park
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan admitted he was pleased for Alex McLeish in midweek and is refusing to rule Rangers out of the Bank of Scotland Premier League title race.
Ibrox boss McLeish looked on the brink of the sack after a second Old Firm defeat in 10 days which saw them fall 15 points behind Celtic in the table.
But a defiant McLeish hauled Rangers to the verge of the Champions League knock-out stages with a draw in Porto which brought a smile to the face of his former team-mate.
``It was an excellent result and I was pleased for him,'' said Strachan. ``Everyone will be up in arms all over the place but I was very, very pleased for him as a friend.
``People don't realise that it helps us as a nation that we are all doing well.
``As for Alex, the Strachan household was delighted.''
The Hoops boss expects Rangers to kick on following Ross McCormack's late heroics in Portugal and he still considers them as title rivals along with Hearts and Hibernian.
Strachan added: ``After last season it would be unwise for anybody to count Rangers out that's for sure.
``They got a fantastic result midweek as well so they will be feeling better about themselves.
``It's nice to be top of the table on our own but there's still plenty of work to be done.''
Strachan admits he has benefited from their early exit from Europe - although he would still love to change all that.
``There's no doubt that it's a blessing in disguise,'' he added. ``But I'd rather be in Europe that's for sure.
``I'd love to go back and make sure we didn't go out of Europe.
``The opportunity was there and it was up to us to take it, but it has given us the chance to work with the players.''
Celtic are expected to sweep aside bottom-of-the-table Dunfermline at Parkhead.
Jim Leishman's men are three points behind Livingston after being sunk by Paul Dalglish's winner at East End Park while the Glasgow giants are two points clear of Hearts.
Strachan is considering whether to bring Chris Sutton and Maciej Zurawski back.
Sutton has not played since the win at Dundee United on October 30, but is back in contention after shaking off a problem behind his knee.
Zurawski has not featured since the 5-0 victory at Livingston seven weeks ago after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Poland in the World Cup qualifying defeat by England but is hoping to feature again.
But Shaun Maloney is out after spraining his ankle in the victory over Rangers last week and Strachan has the option of bringing Sutton or Zurawksi in alongside John Hartson or moving the in-form Aiden McGeady into a more central role.
Stanislav Varga is sidelined with a groin problem.
Meanwhile, Pars manager Leishman admits the performance will be more important than the result at Celtic Park.
``Parkhead is a hard place to go. The performance is important. Win, lose or draw, it is about how you go about your business and about having pride in your own game.
``I am not dreading the game, I am looking forward to it. Let's see if we are up for it.''
But, no matter his team's current predicament is, Leishman insists his players should relish performing in front of a 60,000 crowd in what he regards as one of the best arenas in European football.
He added: ``It has always been a hard place to go - it has been ever since they were formed. But we are looking forward to it.
``It is an historic place, a place with tradition and is one of the finest places to play football in Europe.
``In my first game there, there was 67,000 there. It was brilliant, what a feeling you get when you walk out and I want my players to enjoy the occasion.''
Scott Thomson (rib), Scott Morrison (knee), Lee Makel (ankle), Simon Donnelly (back) and Darren Young (calf) are all still missing for the Pars.
Goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell will be on the bench despite not training this week after a neck injury.
But midfielder Liam Horsted is doubtful with a foot injury.
KO - 15:00 UK - Celtic Park
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan admitted he was pleased for Alex McLeish in midweek and is refusing to rule Rangers out of the Bank of Scotland Premier League title race.
Ibrox boss McLeish looked on the brink of the sack after a second Old Firm defeat in 10 days which saw them fall 15 points behind Celtic in the table.
But a defiant McLeish hauled Rangers to the verge of the Champions League knock-out stages with a draw in Porto which brought a smile to the face of his former team-mate.
``It was an excellent result and I was pleased for him,'' said Strachan. ``Everyone will be up in arms all over the place but I was very, very pleased for him as a friend.
``People don't realise that it helps us as a nation that we are all doing well.
``As for Alex, the Strachan household was delighted.''
The Hoops boss expects Rangers to kick on following Ross McCormack's late heroics in Portugal and he still considers them as title rivals along with Hearts and Hibernian.
Strachan added: ``After last season it would be unwise for anybody to count Rangers out that's for sure.
``They got a fantastic result midweek as well so they will be feeling better about themselves.
``It's nice to be top of the table on our own but there's still plenty of work to be done.''
Strachan admits he has benefited from their early exit from Europe - although he would still love to change all that.
``There's no doubt that it's a blessing in disguise,'' he added. ``But I'd rather be in Europe that's for sure.
``I'd love to go back and make sure we didn't go out of Europe.
``The opportunity was there and it was up to us to take it, but it has given us the chance to work with the players.''
Celtic are expected to sweep aside bottom-of-the-table Dunfermline at Parkhead.
Jim Leishman's men are three points behind Livingston after being sunk by Paul Dalglish's winner at East End Park while the Glasgow giants are two points clear of Hearts.
Strachan is considering whether to bring Chris Sutton and Maciej Zurawski back.
Sutton has not played since the win at Dundee United on October 30, but is back in contention after shaking off a problem behind his knee.
Zurawski has not featured since the 5-0 victory at Livingston seven weeks ago after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Poland in the World Cup qualifying defeat by England but is hoping to feature again.
But Shaun Maloney is out after spraining his ankle in the victory over Rangers last week and Strachan has the option of bringing Sutton or Zurawksi in alongside John Hartson or moving the in-form Aiden McGeady into a more central role.
Stanislav Varga is sidelined with a groin problem.
Meanwhile, Pars manager Leishman admits the performance will be more important than the result at Celtic Park.
``Parkhead is a hard place to go. The performance is important. Win, lose or draw, it is about how you go about your business and about having pride in your own game.
``I am not dreading the game, I am looking forward to it. Let's see if we are up for it.''
But, no matter his team's current predicament is, Leishman insists his players should relish performing in front of a 60,000 crowd in what he regards as one of the best arenas in European football.
He added: ``It has always been a hard place to go - it has been ever since they were formed. But we are looking forward to it.
``It is an historic place, a place with tradition and is one of the finest places to play football in Europe.
``In my first game there, there was 67,000 there. It was brilliant, what a feeling you get when you walk out and I want my players to enjoy the occasion.''
Scott Thomson (rib), Scott Morrison (knee), Lee Makel (ankle), Simon Donnelly (back) and Darren Young (calf) are all still missing for the Pars.
Goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell will be on the bench despite not training this week after a neck injury.
But midfielder Liam Horsted is doubtful with a foot injury.