Strachan to up Pressley chase after Balde blow

STEVEN Pressley is likely to figure heavily in the thoughts of Gordon Strachan today as the Celtic manager tries to find a replacement for defender Bobo Balde, who could be absent for a considerable period with a suspected fractured shin.

It was feared Balde may have fractured a shin during yesterday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United, the defender going over on his leg as he tried to complete a clearance before half-time. His probable absence seemed to increase the likelihood of Strachan attempting to lure former Hearts captain Pressley to Glasgow, having held talks with the player earlier this month.

"Yes, we are getting a little short of defenders," said Strachan in response to a specific question about Pressley. It was a reply that would cause anyone to infer that business will be completed in time to allow the player to start work on New Year's Day.

On an eventful day at Celtic Park, where the home side needed a late fightback to deny the visitors a first league win at Parkhead since Boxing Day 1992, Strachan also denied a report that Neil Lennon received a second red card at the end of last weekend's match against Falkirk.

The Celtic manager expressed a certain contempt for "other people" involved in the Lennon incident, when the Celtic captain was ordered off for making a butting gesture towards Falkirk's Anthony Stokes before apparently indulging in a slanging match with an assistant referee.

"He did not receive a second red card," said Strachan, contradicting a report yesterday which claimed referee Ian Brines had made it a double sending-off for Lennon after the event. "Neil will be available for our match at Motherwell on Saturday."

Taken from the Scotsman