Celtic ‘in shock’ after Old Firm setback

Celtic 0 Rangers 1

Strachan’s side had dominated the first period but squandered several chances to get the breakthrough with former Light Blues striker Kenny Miller the biggest culprit.

Ehiogu’s spectacular overhead kick five minutes after the interval changed the course of the game as Rangers grew in confidence in an even second half.

And despite some late pressure, the visitors held on for three valuable points in their quest to secure second spot in the SPL.

Strachan said: “After Rangers scored we went into shock for 10 or 15 minutes. I don’t think it was fair but that’s life, sometimes it doesn’t go for you.

“We have played worse this year and won games, that’s for sure. It’s about taking your chances and getting the right decisions at the right time but it’s mostly about chances.

“We had plenty of opportunities to kill off the game. I was very pleased up until the goal because that’s the best we’ve played, in terms of bossing the game and playing the way that we wanted to play, since I’ve come here.

“I don’t think the heads went down after Rangers scored, far from it.

“They were galvanised and took it on from there. So we were in shock, our heads didn’t go down – that’s a big difference.

“We got back into the game and there were a lot of crosses going into the box but it wasn’t our day.’’

Strachan believed his side were denied a penalty when Aiden McGeady was tackled by Ehiogu inside the Rangers penalty area in the first half.

He added: “I haven’t seen it again but anyone who has says it was a certain penalty. The referee spotted a lot of infringements at corner kicks but he never noticed that one. And the best one of the day was when Davie Weir was tugging Evander Sno’s jersey but he missed that one.”

Strachan refused to talk about the incident after the full-time whistle when skipper Neil Lennon appeared to launch a water bottle at the dugout.

The Irishman seemed to be remonstrating with some of his own fans as he came off the pitch before taking out his frustrations on the technical area.

Asked what he could reveal about the incident Strachan said: “Nothing whatsoever.”

Pressed on the matter, the Hoops manager said: “I want to talk about the game, the game was great.”

CELTIC: Boruc, Wilson, Pressley (O’Dea 78), McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Sno (Riordan 81), McGeady, Miller (Jarosik 74), Vennegoor of Hesselink.

RANGERS: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Ehiogu, Murray, Hemdani, Thomson, Ferguson, Adam, Sebo (Prso 74), Novo (Rae 90).

Att: 59,425

Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).