Post by Taxigirl on Apr 5, 2006 8:08:09 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4876940.stm
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has paid tribute to his players as the club stand on the verge of the championship in his first season in charge.
A win over nearest challengers Hearts on Wednesday will wrap up the title, with six matches to spare.
He said: "I am happy in the knowledge that our squad have, as the season has gone on, got better and better.
"We are in a position where we are 17 points ahead of a very good side. The achievement is down to the players."
Strachan endured a torrid start to his Celtic career after a 5-0 hammering in Europe by Artmedia Bratislava and a 4-4 draw in their opening league game with Motherwell.
And asked how he would have responded then if told he would stand on the verge of the title in April, Strachan quipped: "If someone asked me I'd have been very surprised because no one was talking to me!
"They were basically just abusing, they were not speaking - so no-one put that question to me at the beginning of the season."
Celtic won the CIS Insurance Cup last month and Strachan is eager to add to his haul of silverware as soon as possible.
"You are only as good as the people round about you and I have good people around me," he added.
"I was absolutely delighted to win the League Cup, I enjoyed that because it was my first experience.
"When I first came here I said the rewards are not monetary, the rewards are making a lot of people very, very happy and I have seen that at first hand.
"I would like to experience that again - very quickly."
However, Hearts have given Celtic two very tough games already this season and Strachan is expecting another stern test.
"Hearts have got an incredibly strong squad and are as experienced and as good as any in the Scottish league just now," continued Strachan.
Hearts caretaker manager Valdas Ivanauskas said he was desperate to see his side delay Celtic's title celebrations and extend their lead over third-placed Rangers to six points.
"I know it would be nice for the Celtic supporters if they can celebrate and if they are a better side than us and win the match I'll shake Gordon's hand and congratulate him on his achievement," he said.
"But we want to win this game and we will fight for 90 minutes to achieve our goal."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has paid tribute to his players as the club stand on the verge of the championship in his first season in charge.
A win over nearest challengers Hearts on Wednesday will wrap up the title, with six matches to spare.
He said: "I am happy in the knowledge that our squad have, as the season has gone on, got better and better.
"We are in a position where we are 17 points ahead of a very good side. The achievement is down to the players."
Strachan endured a torrid start to his Celtic career after a 5-0 hammering in Europe by Artmedia Bratislava and a 4-4 draw in their opening league game with Motherwell.
And asked how he would have responded then if told he would stand on the verge of the title in April, Strachan quipped: "If someone asked me I'd have been very surprised because no one was talking to me!
"They were basically just abusing, they were not speaking - so no-one put that question to me at the beginning of the season."
Celtic won the CIS Insurance Cup last month and Strachan is eager to add to his haul of silverware as soon as possible.
"You are only as good as the people round about you and I have good people around me," he added.
"I was absolutely delighted to win the League Cup, I enjoyed that because it was my first experience.
"When I first came here I said the rewards are not monetary, the rewards are making a lot of people very, very happy and I have seen that at first hand.
"I would like to experience that again - very quickly."
However, Hearts have given Celtic two very tough games already this season and Strachan is expecting another stern test.
"Hearts have got an incredibly strong squad and are as experienced and as good as any in the Scottish league just now," continued Strachan.
Hearts caretaker manager Valdas Ivanauskas said he was desperate to see his side delay Celtic's title celebrations and extend their lead over third-placed Rangers to six points.
"I know it would be nice for the Celtic supporters if they can celebrate and if they are a better side than us and win the match I'll shake Gordon's hand and congratulate him on his achievement," he said.
"But we want to win this game and we will fight for 90 minutes to achieve our goal."