Talkin’ with Strachan - Priorities

By: Cham | February 19th, 2007

A great article in The Herald has a great discussion between Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and his always exciting self published just prior to Celtic’s away match at Aberdeen. The recent 2-1 victory at Pittodrie over Aberdeen occured only days before Celtic’s long-awaited UEFA Champions League Round of Sixteen match, playing host to AC Milan.

The main issue buzzing around Parkhead and amid the Celtic faithful is which striking strikers will be striking on Tuesday. Against Aberdeen, Strachan had Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Craig Beattie up top. Last week’s 1-nil victory over Hibs, Strachan had Beattie and Kenny Miller.

Strachan used Kenny Miller to give JHV a needed rest after his amazing, though likely exhaustive, form during most of January’s matches. Strachan was smart to sub in Evander Sno for JVH in the 64th, when the match was almost entirely out of reach for Aberdeen. The key: have Vennegoor of Hesselink at his tip-top form for Tuesday’s Milan match-up.

It’s no secret- JVH is Celtic most potent man up top, most likely to do damage in the attacking third, but also still vulnerable to the injuries he’s suffered mid-season. Partnered up with Craig Beattie, the man can do no wrong.

But for Strachan, at least modestly to the press, his priority has been the league title. Celtic’s victory at Pittodrie gave Celtic another set of full points, a grand total of 68 table points, clear of Rangers’ 49 table points, a clearence of 19. Celtic is a mere three league wins away from clinching, even this early in the season.

The remaining league matches: home to Dunfermline; home to Rangers, away to Falkirk, away to Dundee United, and a final home match to Motherwell. In the previous Scottish Premier matches with these teams, Celtic has a combined record of five (5) wins, three (3) draws, and zero (0) loses. The only real blemmish was a Scottish League Cup 1-1 draw that Falkirk won on penalties, 5-4.

So what are we really saying here? Strachan needs his fire power in against Milan, and I believe he’s used Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink the best he can; resting him against Hibs, starting him but subbing in 64 to Aberdeen, totally match fit for AC Milan.

We are Celtic. This is the Celtic Offside Report.