Strachan finds favour with fans as Celtic go top
The former Southampton boss has struggled to win over the Celtic fans after getting off to a horrendous start to his Parkhead career by losing to Artmedia in the Champions League qualifiers at the start of the season.
However, an enthralling win over Dundee United at Tannadice took the visitors above Hearts on goal difference. Goals by John Hartson, Chris Sutton, Stephen Pearson and an Alan Archibald own-goal wiped out a Sutton own-goal and a Collin Samuel strike.
The visiting fans chanted Strachan’s name for the first time as the teams departed the pitch and the Hoops boss responded with a wave but afterwards he said: “I never wanted to be loved. I just wanted people to understand that I’m trying to do my job.
“I’m not here to be loved, I’m here to make Celtic into a championship-winning side again. I’ve got enough people to love me. My sister-in-law comes to the games, she’s a Celtic supporter; my brother-in-law comes to the games, as does my sister.
“I’m sure they’ve tried to start the chanting now and then but have been subdued a couple of times.
“But it is a nice feeling, it’s okay.”
Celtic striker Sutton, who scored at both ends, cautiously endorsed his gaffer’s long-awaited acceptance by the Hoops fans.
He said: “I think the fans have accepted the gaffer now. Martin O’Neill was obviously a very tough act to follow in terms of what he did for Celtic, putting them on the European map and what have you.
“It was never going to be easy filling his boots but the manager is his own man, has his own ideas, his own style and that’s good for the club.
“Managers are judged on results but it’s too early to say that we have turned the corner because things can change so quickly in football.”
DUNDEE UTD: Stillie, Kenneth, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Canero, Brebner, Kerr, Robson, Samuel, McIntyre (Miller 65).
CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Camara, Maloney (McGeady 90), Lennon, Petrov, Nakamura, Hartson (Beattie 75), Sutton, Beattie (Pearson 83).
Referee: A Freeland (Scotland).
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