Strachan puts life in perspective

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has reflected on a “smashing year” but concedes he can still live without football if he needs to.

The former Scotland international ended a self-imposed exile from the game when he succeeded Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park in the summer.

But his reign at the club started with a 5-0 defeat by Artmedia Bratislava in the Champions League third qualifying round, first leg, in Slovakia before the 4-4 draw at Motherwell on the opening day of the Bank of Scotland Premier League season.

However, after that shaky start to life with the Hoops, the former Coventry and Southampton boss has guided the club to a four-point lead at the top of the SPL.

But Strachan insists he will not allow the game to take over his life.

He said: “I was enjoying myself this time last year. I must have been working for the BBC.

“Usually the Christmas mood is determined by your position in the league or by your performance. It was nice for everybody.

“It’s been a smashing year. A lot of things in the last 12 months have been great.

“But I have proved I can live without football. People say they live and die football but that is nonsense.

“I love football but that’s different to being obsessed by it. I came back because I love football.

“I can do other things and I’m not obsessed with it.

“I was still enjoying it at Southampton. Six months before I left, we were fourth in the league and that’s the highest I’ve ever been in the Premiership.

“Southampton are a fantastic club and, once I saw out my contract there, I decided to have a break.”

The Celtic boss will spend Christmas preparing for the Boxing Day visit of Livingston before the trip to Hearts on January 1.

But Strachan admits to being stunned at just how big the Celtic job was.

He added: “I was shocked by the intensity – media-wise – and the love of the club from the supporters.

“I have been blown away by the friendliness of the club as well.

“It’s a huge club and a bit like Manchester United when I was there.

“The thought of being Celtic manager was huge. Even after the Bratislava defeat, I had to keep it in perspective.

“I realised with the turnover of players it was going to be a while. But I was prepared for that.

“We have to win every game. We had to play survival football at Southampton where 80% of it was stopping the other teams. Here, it is 80% on how to beat other teams.

“I have kept myself focussed on the job with the mad world that surrounds us. It is a fantasy world that surrounds us.

“The press coverage, the expectations of the fans and expectations of the board is intense.

“You can only be an Old Firm manager to understand what this is like.”