Source: Team_Talk
Strachan takes positives from draw
Rangers' 2-2 draw with Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday gave Celtic the opportunity to stretch their lead over the Ibrox men to five points but it took a dramatic late Lee Naylor equaliser to keep the gap at three.
Scott McDonald scored his 16th goal of the season after 24 minutes but United striker Francisco Sandaza scored twice at the start of the second half before Naylor volleyed saved the day when he volleyed in from the edge of the box with nine minutes remaining.
Strachan could only see the positives in the game, saying: "It was terrific, absolutely terrific.
"I think the players and fans enjoyed it.
"If anyone can find a negative - and I'm sure they will - then they are warped.
"I thought we would get the equaliser, we put enough pressure on although I didn't expect it to come from Lee, that's for sure.
"Their goalie has made a couple of important saves and as important as Sandaza was in scoring, the keeper was terrific.
"In the first half we played well, they played well for 20 minutes in the second half.
"We weren't professional at the start of the second half and we paid for that and then we came good for the last 25 minutes and I thought, 'Here we go again, we are going to win this game.'
"There's been no change in the title race.
"At this moment in time, the two teams are not good enough to take a grip of it."
Strachan revealed that Stephen McManus could barely walk due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the game.
The Hoops skipper will turn up for Scotland duty ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Holland next week but must be considered a serious doubt.
Strachan said: "McManus had absolutely no chance of making it.
"It's his ankle. He is going to go along to Scotland, he wants to play.
"He needs to get a scan and then he will speak to George. I'm happy for him to go along.
"Glenn Loovens had a calf strain. Other teams have players out but we don't want to make excuses."
United boss Craig Levein reiterated his belief that his side on their day are a match for both Old Firm clubs.
United have drawn four times with the Hoops and twice with Rangers this season with only one defeat against the Ibrox side.
"I thought it was a great game, it was end to end and both teams had chances," he said.
"Anyone who watched the game would have been happy with what they got for their money.
"We don't fear playing either of the Old Firm.
"We always think we can win and the players believe that.
"The thing about Celtic is they generally win when they are expected to win, whereas ourselves and other teams chasing Celtic and Rangers keep dropping points."
