Under-fire Strachan staying positive

GORDON STRACHAN claims he is still enjoying life as Celtic manager despite admitting that the criticism was getting to him after a worrying start to the season.

Strachan has had a turbulent start to his new career, with his side thrashed 5-0 by Artmedia Bratislava in a Champions League qualifier last week and then held 4-4 at Motherwell in their Bank of Scotland Premier League opener.

Some have spoken of a swift Parkhead exit for the former Scotland international, but the ex-Coventry and Southampton boss remains defiant as his side embark on a mission impossible in the return against Artmedia tonight.

"I was delighted to take whatever I got when I came here," he said.

"I was absolutely delighted to accept the challenge and I am still delighted to take on the challenge.

"It's been a horrible week in terms of mental pressure but there's always somebody worse off.

"Like every manager I hurt badly but I am just happy to be here and I am happy with the job."

Strachan also admitted that his pride has taken a beating, but he believes better times are around the corner.

He added: "I've not read the papers but I'm not daft I know what's going on. But the people that speak to me at Celtic and the people I've met in the street have been absolutely fantastic.

"I know what's going on with the hysteria that's been created, particularly with the performances and media. But I have to take responsibility and so does the team.

"I would love to say that it doesn't affect me and I go home and have great fun. I hurt more than anybody but I have to deal with it.

"We have got to remember it's the first game of the season. It was horrible and I have never lost nine goals in two games. My pride is hurting as well, not just anybody wearing green and white."

Strachan also claims his players remain 100% united behind him and determined to make amends.

He has brought in seven players, while the club have been criticised for losing captain Jackie McNamara.

But Strachan said: "I think the team spirit was too much on Saturday.

"In the first 15 minutes they were too emotional because the game was at boiling point and the referee did well. I didn't want the players as emotional as that. They were bursting to get through the door to play.

"It's wrong to question the team spirit. The team is still hurting but we have to get over it."

Strachan admitted the deficiencies in his side were plain to see. "It's simple. We can't defend crosses and that's an obvious problem," he said.

"It's horrible but the players knew exactly what they did wrong, which disappointed me because I wanted to be angry.

"But they put their hands up and admitted that they can do better and owned up to their individual mistakes."

Strachan believes he could start the transformation by producing a miracle at Celtic Park tomorrow night to overturn a 5-0 deficit against the Slovakian champions.

He believes the Hoops can crack a mission impossible but he admits conceding a goal would put the tie out of reach.

"We have to watch what we do in the first 10 minutes," he said. "We don't want to concede. That would make it even more impossible.

"We have to try and target two goals in the first-half and see what happens after that.

"I don't always fear the worst. I am very confident before games.

"Bratislava were a good team who played great on the night.

"We are a good side that played badly on the night so we have to hope there is a reverse of that."