Strachan defends under-fire duo

Hibernian 1 Celtic 2

Stephen McManus celebrated his two-year contract with the second-half winner after Maloney’s penalty cancelled out Derek Riordan’s spectacular free-kick.

But the youngster was booed by sections of the home crowd after winning penalties under the challenges of Steven Whittaker - the second of which was saved by substitute goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski.

Nakamura also infuriated some Hibs fans after tumbling in the area. But Strachan insisted the influential duo were not cheats and insisted that what they lacked in size, they more than made up for in heart.

“Nobody has ever complained at them being at it,” he said. “Shaun and Naka have been brought down and you will get that from small players. They have to get tackled. If you are that size you have to be brave.

“It’s easier when you are big but they keep hold of the ball and put themselves in positions they know they are going to get hit.

“I used to have that myself, but who cares as long as you keep your own fans happy?

“You’ve got to be able to take a kick. I would be brave if I was six foot four and 18 stone and giving out the kicks.

“But try receiving it when you are nine-and-a-half stone - now that’s bravery. Shaun Maloney showed great mental and physical strength.

“He didn’t have the best of first halves and missed a penalty in the second half but instead of wilting he actually went on to become even better.”

Maciej Zurawski also illustrated that commitment to the cause, having dragged himself off his sickbed to play in the capital.

Strachan also felt Maloney finished by far the best player - physically and mentally - despite missing from the spot.

Simon Brown was sent off for handling outside the area but his replacement Malkowski saved the penalty.

Strachan continued: “It’s lucky I’ve got mentally strong people like Zurawski. He shouldn’t really be here today. He’s been in his bed for a couple of days with a virus.

“People say (Neil) Lennon and (Roy) Keane are mentally strong but Zurawski, Maloney, Naka and the rest are fantastic.”

McManus’ goal took Celtic to within just 13 points of the title but Strachan is refusing to pop the champagne corks just yet.

“That was a big goal for us,” he said. “At the moment you think ‘thank goodness that’s over’.

“You get a slight bit of satisfaction but then I’ll just go back to my mum’s for a cup of tea.”

HIBERNIAN: Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Murphy, Stewart, Thomson, Glass (Fletcher 69), Sproule, Killen (Dalglish 74), Riordan (Malkowski 62).

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson, Nakamura (Pearson 80), Lennon, Keane, Maloney, Petrov, Zurawski.

Referee: A Freeland (Scotland).