Source: Team_Talk
Strachan unfazed by Fir Park return
The heavily-sanded pitch has been criticised for most of the season but the issue was brought in to sharper focus after the Parkhead side drew 1-1 with Motherwell last week to leave them trailing Rangers at the top of the SPL on goal difference.[LNB]Strachan, who tinkered with his line-up to adapt to the surface, castigated its condition after the game and the Lanarkshire club's inability to provide a decent pitch has been a talking point all week.[LNB]If Mark McGhee's side remain in the top six after the split, the SPL could make the champions visit Fir Park again in order to ensure an even split of 19 games home and away for the champions.[LNB]However, Strachan, preparing his side for the visit of St Mirren on Saturday, will not make a big deal about another trip to Lanarkshire.[LNB]"You've got to remember that it still produces good games," he said.[LNB]"We had a terrific game there at the beginning of the season and won 4-2.[LNB]"And everyone seemed to enjoy the game last week, there was talking points, goals, and tackles so the pitch can throw up a good game.[LNB]"The previous week we had a perfect pitch but there was nothing to taking about it and it was boring.[LNB]"So we don't have a problem with the pitch, the problem is the team you are playing against.[LNB]"As I said, we made enough chances last week to win a lot of games.[LNB]"We were very happy with the football we played on a surface that wasn't conducive to it.[LNB]"So we have no fears about going back there again, we are not scared of the pitch because we actually played very well on it."[LNB]Celtic go in to the game against the Buddies with only three wins in their last 10 SPL matches and in the midst of relative scoring drought, which has led to them surrendering a seven-point lead over their Ibrox rivals.[LNB]Strachan, though, offered little succour to fringe players Ben Hutchinson and Massimo Donati, who both went public about their frustrations this week.[LNB]Former Middlesbrough striker Hutchinson, who has made only two substitute appearances this term, has enjoyed a fruitful spell in the reserves, scoring his 14th goal of the season in the win over Hearts' second string in midweek.[LNB]While Hutchinson called for a chance to show what he could do for the first team, Donati complained he is the only Parkhead player not to have been given a second chance by Strachan this season.[LNB]On Hutchinson, Strachan was quite succinct, saying: "There are people in front of him at the moment.[LNB]"He is scoring goals for the reserves but I was at the reserve game the other day and there were people who made their mark without scoring goals, players who made chances for Ben and they have to be taken in to consideration as well."[LNB]On the subject of Donati's future at the club, Strachan appeared to take a veiled swipe at the Italian by highlighting the return of luckless midfielder Simon Ferry who - after missing almost three years with various injuries - impressed enough in training to be pitched in to the squad for the visit of the Buddies.[LNB]"Massimo has the same chance as everyone here," the Parkhead boss said.[LNB]"I can only pick so many people but as long as you are signed by the club then you have a chance.[LNB]"Young Simon Ferry, who has been out for nearly three years, trained with us on Thursday and was truly magnificent and so he will be in the squad tomorrow.[LNB]"If you asked Simon last week where he thought his future was, he wasn't going too far but this week he has trained with the first team, he has been absolutely sensational and, because of that, we are rewarding him.[LNB]"So we are open to any good players."[LNB][LNB] Celtic 1/5[LNB], Draw 5/1[LNB], St Mirren 14/1[LNB]
