Source: Team_Talk
Strach overrules headstrong skipper
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gave the Scottish Premier League leaders a flying start at Tynecastle when he volleyed home inside 30 seconds with the aid of some poor goalkeeping from Janos Balogh.[LNB]But Bruno Aguiar levelled from a 30-yard free-kick and neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled during a well-contested second period.[LNB]Hoops boss Strachan was missing Darren O'Dea and Georgios Samaras after both picked up injuries during Wednesday's 4-0 win over Falkirk.[LNB]And he insisted McManus had to come at half-time despite the defender claiming he was fine to play through his ankle injury.[LNB]"It was frantic, good fun," said Strachan.[LNB]"I was pleased with a lot of things - once we got our back four sorted out, once we got Mick (McManus) off the pitch, because he is too brave for his own good.[LNB]"An 80% Mick is fine but 50% or less is not really good enough.[LNB]"I felt sorry for him but I do believe he has to say, 'Enough is enough, the pain is too much'. Once we got that sorted out, it was fine."[LNB]McManus was a pre-match doubt with the same problem that kept him out of Scotland's 3-0 defeat in Holland last month.[LNB]"We kept asking and he kept saying he was fine," Strachan said. "Then I had to make a decision for his own good and our good.[LNB]"I think he pushed himself to play for Scotland. That's the way he is; he just doesn't want to let that Scotland place go - and here too.[LNB]"But we had to be strong with him at half-time."[LNB]Strachan, who brought Glenn Loovens in and played Gary Caldwell in midfield during the first half, was satisfied with Celtic's display.[LNB]He added: "We defended set plays well because we were against the 'Land Of The Giants' out there.[LNB]"I tried to pick a team, still with a bit of flair, and with a wee bit of height.[LNB]"When the game died down for the last 35 minutes, I thought we made all the chances."[LNB]When asked if Celtic had gained a point or lost two, Strachan said: "I'll know at the end of the season.[LNB]"But, at the moment, I feel it's not too bad considering the injuries we have picked up.[LNB]"We had to deal with injuries during it and a frantic game of football.[LNB]"They have about eight players 6ft and over and they use their weapons well.[LNB]"There is a lot of ice in that dressing room - it's like the dining room on the Titanic in there."[LNB]Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo refused to apportion blame for Vennegoor of Hesselink's strike but he admitted his side have to stop conceding early goals.[LNB]"If you think about how many times we have given a gift to the opponents, it would drive you crazy," he said.[LNB]"It doesn't matter if it's Christmas Day or Mother's Day, we hand out gifts.[LNB]"Now it's Easter, we gave away a huge egg after 30 seconds."[LNB]But Laszlo added: "In the last five minutes, they had very good chances but, before this, we should have decided the game."[LNB][LNB]
