Strachan hails 'terrific' Hoops

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan hailed today’s 5-1 win over St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League as the ideal end to an excellent week.

The Scottish champions booked their place in the group stages of the Champions League following a gruelling qualifier against Spartak Moscow, which was decided by a tense penalty shoot-out at Parkhead midweek.

Celtic then shrugged off any fatigue to move to within two points of SPL leaders Rangers with a a comfortable victory at Love Street.

“They were terrific,” Strachan told Setanta Sports. “We have had an emotional, physical and mental drain the other night and the players were absolutely fantastic today. The subs were fantastic as well.

“All in all, it has been a great week for us.”

Kenny Miller and Thomas Gravesen both checked out of Celtic ahead of the transfer deadline, without any new recruits arriving to plug the gaps in the squad.

Strachan said: “Every manager would like to have another two players and I’m the same.

“But I’m all right. I’ve got energy, I’ve got enthusiasm and I’ve got determination.”