Strachan tips more twists and turns

05 March 2009 09:31
A Scott McDonald double sank Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park on Wednesday and took the champions three points clear of their Ibrox rivals. Strachan played down the advantage his side regained after losing a seven-point lead to the Govan club in recent weeks. He said: "It's nice as we sit here but I think everyone knows that because of the way the season is panning out, there will be twists and turns before the end. "I would be very surprised if that (Rangers defeat) is the final shock of the season. So it's a bonus to be back on top of the league "But we played well enough to look like a team who should be top of the league." Celtic, indeed, dominated the first half but Danny Invincibile's volley after 36 minutes cancelled out his fellow Australian's opener 10 minutes earlier. However, 10 minutes from the end McDonald struck with a wonderful solo goal after waltzing through the home defence to give the Parkhead side three crucial points. Strachan said: "I thought we started the game really well and made lots of chances but we were in shock for 10 minutes after they scored. "Their keeper played very well and I thought their defenders stood up well and did what they had to do but we didn't panic and throw balls in to the box, we tried to play. "Scott's first goal was terrific as well as his second so I was pleased with him. "I'm sure we would like the goals to be shared out more but there was a lot of chances for the other players and the goals were spread about on Saturday against St Mirren." Even Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies was moved to praise the quality of the late winner from the Australia international. He said: "I was a bit disappointed at the first goal. "I thought he should have been closed down, you can't give a striker of that quality that time and the centre halves should have been on to him. "But at least Celtic had to produce a real quality goal to beat him. "McDonald's clever, he's skilful and he beat about three men because they were all expecting him to shoot. "I thought it was a terrific goal and he has pulled them out of it because up until then we were dealing with their corners and free-kicks extremely well. "I have to say I was proud of the players."

Source: Team_Talk