Lawwell expects Strachan stay

Chief executive confident manager will not walk away

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 23rd May 2008

Gordon Strachan Celtic manager

Strachan: Planning ahead

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Peter Lawwell has played down fears that Gordon Strachan could be tempted away from Celtic.

Celtic clinched their third consecutive Scottish Premier League title under Strachan as they beat Dundee United on Thursday and Rangers lost to Aberdeen.

There has been speculation about Strachan's future but Lawwell insists that is an inevitable consequence of success.

The chief executive has already sat down with the manager to discuss next season and is confident he will stay with the club.

"I think if you have got an exceptional manager as we have there is always going to be interest, just like with exceptional players," Lawwell told Sky Sports News.

"So I'd rather have that problem than have the other type of problem.

"We're planning for next year. We had a meeting this morning and we understand what we need to be doing in the close season to strengthen.

"That is Gordon's focus and that is my focus and we've every confidence that he will be here to take us into another campaign and the Champions League next year."