Strachan bemoans pre-season demands

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will consider missing out a pre-season tour of the US next summer to save the fitness of players.

The Hoops are in the middle of a three-game trip to North America, which follows a two-game tour of Poland last week.

Next month, Celtic will also face a gruelling trip to Japan and now the former Scotland international concedes his coaching staff and players must be given some time to plan for the new season.

Strachan told the Sunday Mail: “It’s been hard work – two games in Poland in three days and then the same here. It’s something we have to think about.

“We are just getting our second wind and what we are really looking forward to now is some time. Because of the games, you can’t sit down and plan your coaching.

“It is the first time I have been to America for a pre-season and it is definitely not easy. It is good for everyone who doesn’t have to play but not so good for players.

“So what we’ll need to do is sit down and reassess it as the season goes on.”