Celtic not favourites for league, says Strachan

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has refused to accept his side are now favourites to retain their Clydesdale Scottish League title after Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has refused to accept his side are now favourites to retain their SPL after Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell.

The Hoops' Old Firm rivals, still nursing their wounds after Wednesday's UEFA Cup final defeat to Zenit St Petersburg, are now three points behind Celtic with two matches to play, while their neighbours have just one game left but have a superior goal difference.

Strachan told BBC Radio 5 Live's 'Sportsweek' programme: "I haven't got a clue if we are favourites or not.

"Since I've been (back) in Scotland I've never picked up a paper, never watched any sports shows so I just roll up, play the games and go home."

With Rangers facing trips to St Mirren tomorrow and Aberdeen on Thursday - when Celtic finish their programme at Dundee United - Strachan added: "There are all sorts of scenarios.

"Several weeks ago, I was dead and buried, so I was told, but my objective was always to take it to the last game, which was the best we could offer at that stage and now we've managed to do that."

He insisted he had no sympathy for Rangers' plight, with Walter Smith's men facing four games in eight days, including the Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South.

He said: "Sympathy? Not really because I've been in similar situations myself.

"And I would love to have been in Rangers' position where they had the chance to go for a quadruple."

Strachan was asked whether successful clubs in Europe should get more help in rescheduling matches or extending the season.

"I don't know what other leagues around the world are doing, it's not for me to say," he said.

"But when I was with Manchester United and Aberdeen and we were winning in Europe we never even thought about that.

"We just continued to play the games and I think Manchester United are the same now.

"I can assure you, the players who are playing and winning things now and the managers and the coaches of the successful clubs are loving every minute of it, that's for sure.

"In years gone by, when Celtic were winning things and playing a lot of games, I don't think they asked for any help."