Strachan enjoys his 15 minutes

Gordon Strachan claims he had just 15 minutes of enjoyment following Celtic’s Old Firm derby win before turning his attention to Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee United.

Scott McDonald’s perfectly-executed volley last weekend gave the Parkhead side their first win at Ibrox since February, 2006.

More significantly, his strike took Celtic seven points clear of the Light Blues at the top of the SPL and into a strong position to go on and capture their fourth title in a row.

Hoops boss Strachan, though, will not be swayed by outside predictions nor by the healthy gap the champions have opened up over their arch-rivals.

Asked if he was comfortable with the seven-point lead, Strachan replied: “Yes - when we only have two games left and can’t be caught.

“After a win like that against Rangers, you get about 15 minutes when you think, ’Phew – that was good’ and then it’s away.

“It’s not fair because, when the result goes the other way, it doesn’t leave you for a while. It stays with you.

“We’re happy with our position at the moment but nobody is looking too far ahead."

Celtic will go 10 points clear with a win over United at Parkhead as Rangers do not play Inverness until Sunday.

However, Strachan pointed to the Tannadice side’s fine performances against both halves of the Old Firm this season as one reason why three points should not be taken for granted.

“Dundee United can be incredibly hard to beat,” Strachan told Celtic View.

“This season, they have played us once and Rangers twice and all three games have been draws.

“That shows how difficult it is against them."

Strachan reflected positively on 2008, citing in particular his side’s third straight SPL championship in May and last term’s journey to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they lost out to Barcelona.

The Celtic boss expects more excitement on and off the park in 2009.

“It wasn’t boring – everything happened,” he said. "We won a league, we had ups and downs in Europe.

“There is never a dull moment at Celtic Football Club."