Strachan praise for Celtic chief

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan praised chief executive Peter Lawwell for his stewardship of the Parkhead club as Scottish football attempts to tackle the deepening economic crisis.

Since returning to Parkhead for the second time in 2003, Lawwell has helped reduce the club’s debt by a reported £31million while providing Strachan enough resources to win three Clydesdale Bank Premier League titles in succession and guide the club to the last 16 of the Champions League two years running.

While the Hoops sit seven points clear at the top of the SPL following their 1-0 Old Firm derby win at Ibrox last week, the rest of the game is facing up to some financial realities.