Champagne on ice after Celtic claim first blood

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan has slammed suggestions his side are already the Scottish Premier League champions-elect after defeating Rangers on Saturday to move seven points clear of their Old Firm rivals.

Kenny Miller’s first goal for the Parkhead club, after Thomas Gravesens’ first-half header, ensured a 2-0 win for the SPL holders.

Although there are only eight league games played, Celtic already look too strong to be stopped by Paul Le Guen’s Rangers or second-placed Hearts.

However, though Strachan was delighted to have won the first Old Firm match of the season, he says nothing has been won yet.

“It is satisfying to be seven points ahead of Rangers but that’s all it is. The players were fine after the match and there was no hollering or any of that kind of stuff,” said Strachan.

“We congratulated ourselves, said a quiet ‘well done’ and now we will get on with it. The players know that there is a lot still to be done and Rangers gave them a right good game on Saturday so we don’t have any reason for celebrating yet.”

Strachan was delighted with his central defensive pairing of Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell and praised them for their desire to improve.

He said: “I thought that was Gary Caldwell’s best game and he did brilliantly — especially considering he has not been training with us as he is carrying a knock. I thought he and Stephen did very well. They are both young but they are mature and they want to learn, which is good.”

Rangers’ French manager Le Guen was not prepared to throw in the towel at this early stage of the season but he admitted it was going to be tough to prevent Strachan’s side winning their second consecutive SPL title.

The former Lyon boss said: “Every game is now very important for us. I am worried that we are so far behind and we will have to do more and work harder.

“I will try to find the solution as it is up to me to improve the team.

“The players must have the ability, the heart and other qualities to win games like the one on Saturday and that is what we need to find.”

Le Guen also believes the absence of French midfielder Jeremy Clement, who will be unavailable for at least a month with a knee injury, has been a huge blow for his side.

He said: “For me our best player in the beginning of the season has been Jeremy Clement and when he is not there it is obvious we miss him.”

Celtic dominated Saturday’s game from the start and deservedly opened the scoring in the 34th minute.

Neil Lennon floated the ball across from the right and Aiden McGeady rose to power in a header which was brilliantly saved by Allan McGregor. Unfortunately for the Rangers goalkeeper the ball spun into the path of Gravesen and he dived to head over the line for his first Celtic goal since signing from Real Madrid in August.

In the 73rd minute former Rangers striker Miller doubled his side’s advantage. Republic of Ireland international McGeady drove forward from inside his own half before splitting the Rangers defence with a perfectly weighted pass to put in Miller and he poked the ball under the body of the advancing McGregor.