Talkin’ with Strachan – Travelin’ Riverside Blues

By: Cham | October 30th, 2009

The last time I wrote a Talkin’ with Strachan post, it was the morning of February 24th, 2007. Later that day, Celtic would face and dramatically defeat Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the late minutes of the Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals. An 89′ minute header from Steven “Elvis” Pressley brought the match to parity and a certain replay at Celtic park. But Kenny Miller (remember Kenny?) would prove hero of the day with a low strike to finish off the Callie Jags in stoppage time.

Match Highlights can be seen here:

Gordon Strachan was then the manager of Celtic Football Club, a post he would hold until 25 May 2009, or 821 more days. In that time he and Celtic would win the Scottish Premier League twice more (for three total), the Scottish Cup again and a Scottish League Cup again.

In the days following the 2008-2009 campaign, Gordon Strachan stepped down from his post as Celtic boss, having failed to retain the League title that year, as well as leading Celtic back to the Final Sixteen of the European Champions League. He did not take any immediate positions, though much was made about him and the Scottish National post, if George Burley and the SFA decided to part company.

They didn’t. And up until a few weeks ago, the most we saw of the wee man was a hilarious commentary he did on Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s bottle-kicking episode during a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United.

But Monday, after much speculation, Gordon Strachan has now found a new home and a four-year agreement at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, following Gareth Southgate’s mid-October sacking. I imagine the general feeling of most Celtic fans is good luck and all the best, as he did keep the trophy cabinets well stocked in his tenure.

Since this is not a ‘Boro Offside blog, I will leave the Strachan commentary to others, though his quotes and antics provide great fodder for jokes and the like. Personally I will miss his celebratory touchline dashes. I imagine he will bring some obvious changes to Middlesbrough Football Club and may even take them back up to the top flight of English football. Whatever his lot, I will miss talkin’ about Strachan.