Post by Taxigirl on Dec 10, 2005 10:03:58 GMT
soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=186258&cc=5739
KO - 15:00 UK - Celtic Park
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has played down speculation he has a deal in place to bring Hibernian defender Gary Caldwell to Parkhead in the January transfer window.
Reports linking the Scotland international and team-mate Derek Riordan to the Glasgow giants emerged last week but were strongly refuted by the Easter Road club.
Despite these denials, Caldwell continues to be linked with the Hoops.However, Strachan said: ``There is no truth in that. There is no deal in place.
``It will be no problem whatsoever with Hibs because I know (manager) Tony Mowbray and (chairman) Rod Petrie and they know fine well that if I want to set up anything with a player I will speak to them first. So they are not upset with me.''
Strachan, however, is keen to tie up young defender Stephen McManus and midfielder Stilian Petrov on new deals.
It had been suggested negotiations with McManus had broken down but the Hoops boss said: ``I rate Stephen highly as a person who is getting better all the time. Things are coming along well.
``I would like him to sign and all the coaching staff would like him to sign but that's Stephen's decision.
``But he's put himself in a smashing position in terms of a contract because he has got stronger as the season has gone on.
``It's the same with Petrov, it's ongoing. If you look at any big contract deal - and I don't mean just financially - then it takes a long time.
``We're all positive. Stilian and Stephen are both priorities but anybody who wants to stay is my priority.''
Strachan refused to blame the Bosman ruling, which is in its 10th year, for the time taken in tying down his players on extended contracts.
He said: ``It has evolved into this but I've not got a problem with it.``I came into the game as a manager at that time and I was into it right away.
``I've been in the game a long time and it doesn't spook me at all.
``It can be a good thing but it depends on how the players, agents and chairmen, and especially the players and agents, use that power.''
Strachan has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Hibernian.
Shunsuke Nakamura and Shaun Maloney have both fully shaken off a virus and ankle injury respectively.
Poland international Maciej Zurawski also came through the win at Aberdeen last weekend unscathed after a hamstring injury.
Hibernian defender Steven Whittaker has urged his team-mates to treat every Premier League club as an Old Firm side or risk throwing away their hard work this season.
The Easter Road club travel to Celtic less than two weeks after defeating Rangers 2-1.
But Hibs have also been beaten by Falkirk and Dundee United in recent weeks to temper the success against the Ibrox club.
Full-back Whittaker admits the players find it difficult to motivate themselves against smaller SPL clubs.
But he maintains the team are determined to rectify the situation.
Whittaker said: ``It is a hard question. It is not individuals, we need to lift ourselves as a team.
``In the big games, we tend to perform and put on a show and, in some of them, we have come out on top.
``In some of the lesser games, as a team, it is harder to get yourself up for it.
``That is the experience of the team and we need to learn to cut that out and perform in every game.
``You go to Parkhead and play in front of 60,000 but then you go and play against a smaller team and might only have a ground of about 11,000 and there is a flat atmosphere.
``It shouldn't happen but it does. As professional footballers, we should go out there as a team and still be able to put on a performance.
``That is something we need to learn and to take on board.''
But Whittaker is looking forward to pitting his wits against Hoops midfielder Aiden McGeady, who is enjoying a rich vein of form in the first team.
He added: ``Aiden is a good player and he has great talent, you can see that in games.
``He is still young and is producing it on a big stage, so I know all about his qualities.
``You enjoy playing against these kind of players and against the bigger teams - you can test yourself.
``It is competing against the best in this country so it is a challenge for every player.''
Midfielders Michael Stewart (medial ligament) and Guillaume Beuzelin (ankle) are rated doubtful for the game.
Defender David Murphy (thigh) and striker Ivan Sproule (calf) are also struggling to be fit.
But midfielders Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown are expected to be available after shaking off minor knocks.
KO - 15:00 UK - Celtic Park
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has played down speculation he has a deal in place to bring Hibernian defender Gary Caldwell to Parkhead in the January transfer window.
Reports linking the Scotland international and team-mate Derek Riordan to the Glasgow giants emerged last week but were strongly refuted by the Easter Road club.
Despite these denials, Caldwell continues to be linked with the Hoops.However, Strachan said: ``There is no truth in that. There is no deal in place.
``It will be no problem whatsoever with Hibs because I know (manager) Tony Mowbray and (chairman) Rod Petrie and they know fine well that if I want to set up anything with a player I will speak to them first. So they are not upset with me.''
Strachan, however, is keen to tie up young defender Stephen McManus and midfielder Stilian Petrov on new deals.
It had been suggested negotiations with McManus had broken down but the Hoops boss said: ``I rate Stephen highly as a person who is getting better all the time. Things are coming along well.
``I would like him to sign and all the coaching staff would like him to sign but that's Stephen's decision.
``But he's put himself in a smashing position in terms of a contract because he has got stronger as the season has gone on.
``It's the same with Petrov, it's ongoing. If you look at any big contract deal - and I don't mean just financially - then it takes a long time.
``We're all positive. Stilian and Stephen are both priorities but anybody who wants to stay is my priority.''
Strachan refused to blame the Bosman ruling, which is in its 10th year, for the time taken in tying down his players on extended contracts.
He said: ``It has evolved into this but I've not got a problem with it.``I came into the game as a manager at that time and I was into it right away.
``I've been in the game a long time and it doesn't spook me at all.
``It can be a good thing but it depends on how the players, agents and chairmen, and especially the players and agents, use that power.''
Strachan has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Hibernian.
Shunsuke Nakamura and Shaun Maloney have both fully shaken off a virus and ankle injury respectively.
Poland international Maciej Zurawski also came through the win at Aberdeen last weekend unscathed after a hamstring injury.
Hibernian defender Steven Whittaker has urged his team-mates to treat every Premier League club as an Old Firm side or risk throwing away their hard work this season.
The Easter Road club travel to Celtic less than two weeks after defeating Rangers 2-1.
But Hibs have also been beaten by Falkirk and Dundee United in recent weeks to temper the success against the Ibrox club.
Full-back Whittaker admits the players find it difficult to motivate themselves against smaller SPL clubs.
But he maintains the team are determined to rectify the situation.
Whittaker said: ``It is a hard question. It is not individuals, we need to lift ourselves as a team.
``In the big games, we tend to perform and put on a show and, in some of them, we have come out on top.
``In some of the lesser games, as a team, it is harder to get yourself up for it.
``That is the experience of the team and we need to learn to cut that out and perform in every game.
``You go to Parkhead and play in front of 60,000 but then you go and play against a smaller team and might only have a ground of about 11,000 and there is a flat atmosphere.
``It shouldn't happen but it does. As professional footballers, we should go out there as a team and still be able to put on a performance.
``That is something we need to learn and to take on board.''
But Whittaker is looking forward to pitting his wits against Hoops midfielder Aiden McGeady, who is enjoying a rich vein of form in the first team.
He added: ``Aiden is a good player and he has great talent, you can see that in games.
``He is still young and is producing it on a big stage, so I know all about his qualities.
``You enjoy playing against these kind of players and against the bigger teams - you can test yourself.
``It is competing against the best in this country so it is a challenge for every player.''
Midfielders Michael Stewart (medial ligament) and Guillaume Beuzelin (ankle) are rated doubtful for the game.
Defender David Murphy (thigh) and striker Ivan Sproule (calf) are also struggling to be fit.
But midfielders Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown are expected to be available after shaking off minor knocks.