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| <-Page | <-Team | Sat 04 Nov 2006 Celtic 2 Hearts 1 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Herald ------ Post Match Comments | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Eduard Malofeev | <-auth | MARK WILSON | auth-> | Craig Thomson |
| 72 | of 073 | Andrius Velicka 72 Jiri Jarosik 86 ;Gordon og 94 | L SPL | A |
Strachan hits back over Romanov’s ref complaintMARK WILSON November 07 2006 Gordon Strachan has dismissed Vladimir Romanov for "crying wolf too often" after confirming that the outspoken Hearts owner complained about the referee during a conversation directly after Celtic's 2-1 win on Saturday. The Parkhead manager approached Romanov and Eduard Malofeev, Hearts' interim head coach, to congratulate them on their team's performance in the match, even though Celtic eventually moved 13 points clear in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague. Strachan was unwilling to expand on specific details of the discussion, but it is understood Romanov responded with an insinuation that Craig Thomson had somehow favoured the Glasgow club. Five minutes of added time were played and a last-gasp own goal from Craig Gordon gave Celtic victory, although no other Hearts player or official made a significant issue of Thomson's display. Romanov, of course, has a long history of lambasting Scottish match officials. Comments carried by the Hearts official website landed the club with a £10,000 fine from the Scottish Football Association last month, with a possible personal punishment for Romanov to be considered at a later date. Strachan feels the frequency of Romanov's outbursts has negated any potential impact. "I was just congratulating him and his coach on a smashing performance and, no doubt about it, I heard the referee being mentioned," said Strachan. "But there you go. I think it happens so often now. I think people look on it as crying wolf too often. You just get on with it." Strachan places far greater concern on ensuring his squad remains fully focused, despite their seemingly unassailable advantage in the SPL. Falkirk visit Parkhead for tonight's CIS Insurance Cup quarter-final and, although certain players will be rested, the manager insisted there will no let-up in terms of maintaining domestic dominance. "At Celtic, like Rangers, the players have to want to win everything," said Strachan. "You can't turn off player's motivation or competitiveness. "If I see signs of anyone relaxing - be that in the team, individuals or the atmosphere - I'll deal with it. I don't have to scare players. Not getting a game is what should scare them. I know from my own playing days that the thought of who was waiting to take my place kept me going. "When we were behind Hearts last year, there was pressure. When we drew level with them, there was pressure. I remember still feeling pressure to beat Hearts and win the league when we were 17 points ahead. At no time can you relax. The pressure varies but it's always there." Thomas Gravesen and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who made a substitute appearance against Hearts, are both likely to start for Celtic this evening, while there should also be a rare sighting of Derek Riordan. Strachan views the return of his two major signings from the last transfer window as a significant boost. "It's nice even to have their presence in training," said the manager. "Jan came back on Friday and, after a tiring few days for the squad, brought an edge to training. Then he brought an edge to the match when he came on against Hearts. "It's not been easy for Thomas because of his hamstring injury, but his personality shines in the dressing room. At a push, the two of them might have been able to play from the start on Saturday. But between me and the doctor, we decided it wasn't worth it." After consecutive hat-tricks in league matches, Anthony Stokes is the Falkirk player most likely to damage Celtic's ambitions. The 18-year-old Dubliner, on loan from Arsenal, has scored nine goals in his last four games, prompting reports in the Republic of Ireland that he could emerge as a January transfer target for the Parkhead club. Strachan was generous in his praise for the player's decision to establish his name by seeking first-team football in a new environment. "We're sending a lot of kids out on loan now and I think Stokes is showing the reason why we're trying to do that," said Strachan. "He could have stayed in the London area but he's come up to Falkirk and made a right name for himself. "People know about him now because he decided to get off his backside and launch his career. He's doing it himself and helping Falkirk as well. "He shows that he wants to determine his own career. He doesn't want to be one of those who sits back and wonders what might have happened if things had gone their way. I like people who try and determine their own future."  Taken from the Herald |
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