Source: Team_Talk
Strachan: No regrets over McGeady
Strachan's decision to give Shaun Maloney his first SPL start of the year at the expense of the Republic of Ireland international was the main talking point after the Light Blues' 1-0 win, which took them two points clear of the Scottish Premier League champions with three games remaining.
Seething Hoops supporters besieged radio and newspaper phone-ins and fans' message boards criticising their manager's surprising team selection.
At the pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday night's visit of Dundee United Strachan, as usual, refused to give any credence to fans' forums.
However, when one reporter alluded to the possibility the Parkhead boss might have regrets about his starting XI, he retorted, "none whatsoever," before bringing proceedings to a halt.
Earlier, the former Southampton and Coventry boss had reiterated his belief there was little wrong with his side's performance on Saturday.
"That was the best we had played against Rangers in the league," he said.
"We were unfortunate not to take something from the game. I can't ask any more.
"The players can be downhearted abut the result but they can have no regrets about their performance.
"If it had been an embarrassing performance, nothing had happened and the other team had dominated and had chances (then maybe they would have regrets) but that didn't happen so it was easy for them to come in and enjoy training.
"If we handle the pressure like we did on Saturday, in terms of commitment, drive, pride and variation of play, then I haven't got a problem. It's all about scoring goals then."
Parkhead defender Gary Caldwell also dismissed opinions posted on fans' forums and urged "real" Celtic fans to drive the champions on to their fourth title in succession.
"These people who write in and phone in, I don't know where they come from and who they are but I don't think we should talk about them," he said.
"I think we should talk about the fans who come and support us and they were excellent on Saturday.
"The backing we got right until the end was there for all to see and hopefully they will get right behind us over the coming weeks.
"We have two home games to go, two full houses and the real fans can get behind us, carry us over the line and win another championship."
Caldwell added: "Both halves of the Old Firm have dropped points throughout the season.
"We are now playing teams in the top half of the table and they are hard fixtures to win so there is still a long way to go, we have to believe that and we do.
"We still believe we can win it."
The Scotland defender played down the furore caused by the introduction of Maloney into the starting line-up at Ibrox, insisting the whole Celtic squad might have a part to play in the run-in.
He said: "Shaun is a top player. He's been back training for a few weeks now and when you see him he's very lively and hard to contain.
"I thought he did well on Saturday, he ran at them and caused them problems.
"Obviously he ran out of fitness a bit and Aiden came on.
"But there are lots of people who can come in and do a job between now and the end of the season and it's up to the manager to use those players that he has at his disposal."
