Midfielders give Strachan selection problem

Celtic 2 Falkirk 1

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has a major midfield dilemma on his hands for Sunday’s Old Firm showdown with Rangers at Ibrox.

The Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders moved 10 points clear of Hearts and an incredible 18 beyond their arch rivals with victory over Falkirk at Parkhead last night.

Roy Keane scored his first goal for the club and Stephen McManus took the game beyond the Bairns, who scored late through Kenny Milne.

But while Strachan was impressed with the performance of Keane alongside Stilian Petrov in midfield he must now decide whether to drop one, keep “rested” Neil Lennon out or play them all together.

The Hoops boss declared his players were back to their best going into Sunday’s big Glasgow derby.

He said: “Ironically they scored in the 82nd minute, which was the same as Dundee United.

“You think: 'Here we go again' but that would have been unfair because we are back in terms of performance, imagination and determination.

“It was there so we are back after some games where we were lethargic and lacking in imagination.

“That is the most comfortable I have felt since the Aberdeen game at home (2-0 win in September), so I was right happy with the result, the performance and individual performances.

“It makes us feel good going to Ibrox. We have got three points, got the performance.”

Strachan also took a swipe at fourth official Stevie O’Reilly, having been threatened with a red card.

The Scot added: “The fourth official was causing all sorts of problems.

“Between the technical area and the touchline there is a two-feet gap.

“Sometimes you stray with a foot over the line but I was not abusing the referee and I was coaching.

“He said you are not allowed to coach outside the technical area and I said he was nit-picking.

“I was not six yards out abusing the referee. He said: 'Next time, you are in the stand' and I said he was ridiculous.

“I said to the policeman: 'There could be a bit of shouting and swearing so just grab hold of me.'

“I went down the tunnel to emphasise that I was not getting involved in it and he told me to get back in the technical area.

“So that was getting a wee bit ridiculous at that point. I did not want something like that to upset the night.”

Falkirk manager John Hughes felt his side deserved a share of the spoils for their second-half response.

He said: “If I am honest in my assessment we carried our luck a little bit.

“But I think the boys deserved a draw for their efforts in the second half.

“We gave ourselves too much to do, especially by going in at the break two goals down at Parkhead.

“But the boys showed great spirit and showed what they are all about.”