Source: Team_Talk
Jan credits good form to Strachan
A dismal season had produced only two goals until he scored against Hamilton earlier in the month, but the Dutchman notched a close-range strike just before the break against Aberdeen on Saturday to continue his renaissance.
Scott McDonald's 18th goal of the campaign after the interval took the Hoops four points clear of rivals Rangers who play against Hibernian at Easter Road tomorrow.
The former PSV player, on course for his fifth successive title after picking up two championship medals in Holland before signing for Celtic, acknowledged the support given to him by the Bhoys boss during his barren months.
"We talk about mind games and the boss can do that really well," the Holland international said.
"It is always good because if a manager has faith in you, then you hope to repay him.
"He always tries to keep you on your toes.
"Some players have a dip in their season and you have to help them get on top again and he does that with other players and that's a good thing.
"This will be my fifth title if we win, two with PSV and three with Celtic, and you never get enough of it.
"We have put the pressure on Rangers and they have to win and that's a good thing for us."
Speaking before he left to undertake a doping test, Vennegoor of Hesselink joked about his return to form.
He said: "It is unbelievable- it's a miracle.
"Seriously, it's nice to score and it was a good result today.
"The win gives us confidence but we were never frightened, we were confident that we were going to win.
"But it doesn't matter if I don't score another goal this season as long we are champions.
"I knew it would come and it came.
"Hopefully I can contribute to another title.
"It's five games left and we are four points clear and hopefully we will stay there after this weekend."
Vennegoor of Hesselink played down the antics of team-mate McDonald who almost talked himself into a red card when the home side were cruising late in the second half.
The Australian found himself in the book after remonstrating with the referee following a foul on him by Scott Severin.
Lee Naylor tried to calm him down but McDonald rejected his team-mates' advice, carrying on his haranguing of the official for minutes afterwards until he received a final warning.
The Dutchman said: "I don't know what happened but sometimes Scott has a temper, but that's good because he needs that in his play.
"Scott is really ambitious and wants to work hard for the team, that's what makes him so good and that's why he scores so many goals.
"But I wasn't worried, he's a professional."
Strachan, however, believes referee Dougie McDonald should have offered his namesake some more protection.
He said: "When he calmed down he was fine.
"He was on the receiving end of a few rough ones today but when you are playing well as a striker then you have to accept that sometimes you are going to get a few.
"You try to tell your players not to react and get on and play, but you are hoping the referee then protects your players.
"I might have substituted him but he calmed down and concentrated which was good"
Strachan had nothing but praise for Vennegoor of Hesselink, saying: "I'm proud of him
"It's terrific. When he was going through a spell when he wasn't scoring, he never moaned or groaned about it or made excuses or let it affect training or the club."
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood lost more than three points in his bid to take third place as he faced the absence of a trio key players for the run-in.
He moaned: "We have three injuries and those players could be out for the rest of the season.
"Derek Young and Jamie Smith have strains which could be two or three weeks.
"Zander Diamond has an ankle injury for the third or fourth time and we need to try to get to the bottom of it.
"It may be a hospital job but we just have to wait and see,
"The only good news is that Hearts and Dundee United only got a point."
