Strachan to Benfica?

By: Matt | April 17th, 2008

strachan what? Reports have surfaced that Portuguese side and Celtic Champions League foe Benfica are very interested in acquiring Celtic coach Gordon Strachan for the same job in Portugal. Apparently the club love the Wee Ginger Man, after handing them two defeats in two years in the group stages of the Champions League. Apparently the Benfica board had their eyes closed when Strachan and the Bhoys came to Portugal and lost, or any road game in the Champions League under Strachan for that matter. After two titles, a few cups, and two consecutive last 16 appearances in the Champions League, Strachan has faced plenty of criticism this year after the team struggled in the media and at Celtic Park (with some fans chanting “Strachan get tae fuck! and other fans booing those fans chanting it two weeks ago in Celtic Park against Motherwell.) Even after yesterdays win, Strachan was criticized for his subbing out of Barry Robson, perhaps the best player on the pitch yesterday.

Coming from a non-tactical side, the move might be good for Strachan and Celtic. Reports say that Strachan has been down lately as a result of all the criticism. He will always be a polarizing figure at Celtic, with half the fans loving him and half the fans saying how he is “Not a Celtic Man”. I have had my fair share of criticism of Strachan, but I bear no ill will towards him. I think he should take the job in Benfica. A fresh start for him and for Celtic. If he does go to Benfica, as a United States Men’s Team Supporter, I simply as do not mess up Freddy Adu.

In terms of discipline stuff, it seems that Cueller will be missing the next Celtic-Rangers game for his straight red. It seems they reduced the punishment of Weir and Gary Caldwell, so both will miss this weekend’s games, Caldwell against Aberdeen and Weir as Rangers take on St. Johnstone this weekend in the Scottish Cup Semis. It also seems that Allan McGregor and Lee McCulloch will miss Sunday’s match due to injuries picked up on Sunday. Who will replace Caldwell seems to be the question of the day, as possible choice Darren O’Dea is out with injury, leaving it between Bobo Balde and Steven Pressley. I’d rather see big Bobo in there.