Strachan salutes Rangers

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: CELTIC MANAGER Gordon Strachan has saluted his Old Firm counterpart Walter Smith for guiding Rangers to the Uefa Cup final. Ranger reached their first European final in 36 years with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Fiorentina in Florence on Thursday night, and will face Dick Advocaat's Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14th.

Celtic are embroiled in a battle with the Govan club for the Premier League title but Strachan took time off from preparing his side for the trip to Motherwell to acknowledge Rangers' historic achievement. He said: "It is a fantastic achievement for the lads and Walter especially. I know Walter well and he is a friend. I am only happy for the coaching staff and the players - get that right - because I know how much hard work they have had to put in to get to this stage . . . If we can't beat them in a competition then there is nothing we can do about it. And it's good for Scottish football, the profile is higher and it helps us to get further up the Uefa rankings."

Strachan was reluctant to reveal if he had sent any congratulatory texts or messages to Smith, saying: "If I have then it has been in private and no one needs to know about it."

Celtic have a chance to open up an eight-point gap over Rangers by winning at Fir Park today, although the Ibrox side will have four games in hand starting with a game against Hibernian at Easter Road tomorrow. Celtic beat Motherwell 4-1 at Fir Park three weeks ago and Strachan is looking for more of the same.

Strachan revealed captain Stephen McManus, who sustained a calf injury in the win over Rangers in Parkhead last week, is racing to be fit in time for the trip to Lanarkshire.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times