Strachan: Hoops defence not to blame

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan leapt to the defence of his back four as they came under scrutiny once again after being held to a 3-3 draw by Dundee United at Parkhead.

A John Hartson opener was cancelled out by former Celt David Fernandez but goals from Maciej Zurawski and Stilian Petrov meant the points looked safe, until Lee Miller and a second from Fernandez snatched a point for United.

Much has been made of the fragility of Celtic’s rearguard this season, but the previously untried Adam Virgo and Stan Varga kept their places at the centre of defence after impressing against Motherwell last week.

But, despite notching up more marks in the goals against column, Strachan refused to hold his defence accountable. “We can’t just turn around and say ‘We’re letting in goals so we’ll blame the back four,’” he said.

“I really do think we need to take responsibility in the other two areas, midfield and strikers, when we’re trying to stop other teams from scoring.”

Strachan did, however, admit his team was crying out for a natural leader at the back. “Being a leader is something that’s natural, that you’re born to do, but we’re trying to get people to communicate more.

“There aren’t many of them going about just now. There aren’t many Willie Millers or Steve Bruces. If there were, we would try to sign them.”

Speaking of his team’s performance against United, Strachan said: “I thought we looked lethargic as a team at times, which I find very strange, and it’s something I have to look into.

“Some of the boys did all right but some of them were lethargic.”