Strachan staying cool

Strachan taking nothing for granted

Last updated: 18th May 2008

Gordon Strachan Celtic training

Strachan: Taking nothing for granted

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Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has refused to accept his side are now favourites to retain their SPL title after Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell.

Saturday's draw means Rangers are now three points behind Celtic with two matches to play, while their neighbours have just one game left but have a superior goal difference.

Strachan is refusing to take anything for granted as the season draws to an exciting climax.

"I haven't got a clue if we are favourites or not," Strachan told Sportsweek.

"Since I've been (back) in Scotland I've never picked up a paper, never watched any sports shows so I just roll up, play the games and go home."

With Rangers facing trips to St Mirren on Monday and Aberdeen on Thursday - when Celtic finish their programme at Dundee United - Strachan added: "There are all sorts of scenarios.

"Several weeks ago, I was dead and buried, so I was told, but my objective was always to take it to the last game, which was the best we could offer at that stage and now we've managed to do that."

And he insisted he had no sympathy for Rangers' plight, with Walter Smith's men facing four games in eight days, including the Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South.

No sympathy

He said: "Sympathy? Not really because I've been in similar situations myself.

"And I would love to have been in Rangers' position where they had the chance to go for a quadruple."

Strachan was asked whether successful clubs in Europe should get more help in rescheduling matches or extending the season.

"I don't know what other leagues around the world are doing, it's not for me to say," he said.

"But when I was with Manchester United and Aberdeen and we were winning in Europe we never even thought about that.

"We just continued to play the games and I think Manchester United are the same now.

"I can assure you, the players who are playing and winning things now and the managers and the coaches of the successful clubs are loving every minute of it, that's for sure.

"In years gone by, when Celtic were winning things and playing a lot of games, I don't think they asked for any help."