Celtic chief demands Strachan support
Celtic chairman Brian Quinn insists the board will give Gordon Strachan time - if supporters show the same patience.
Since replacing Martin O’Neill, the former Southampton and Coventry boss has endured a turbulent introduction to life as Celtic manager.
Quinn and his fellow directors are sympathetic to the fact Strachan has had to overhaul the Celtic squad since his arrival.
Despite crashing out of Europe and losing the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox on Saturday, Celtic Park Quinn chief has pledged his support to Strachan.
Quinn said: “We are delighted Gordon Strachan has joined us, he is a serious person, he is committed to doing the best he can for Celtic and he needs the support of the fans.
“He needs to have the fans behind him going through this period of change.
“I will understand if they get disappointed by results such as the one against Rangers but they have to get behind him and give him support. If they get behind him, he’s got a better chance than if they are not behind him.”
Strachan has also been hit by a spate of injuries and will now be without suspended skipper Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson for Sunday’s Bank of Scotland Premier League trip to Dunfermline.
Strachan told the Celtic View: “It will be a completely new team to the one that finished last season and also to the one that played in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden.
“We will now be missing two top players alongside the ones who are already out. It will be a completely new team and this is something nobody would have expected this early on."
“A gradual changeover would have been preferred but that is now something that we are going to have to work round.
“They are going to find out there is more to being a Celtic player than just coming into work every day and doing well in training.
“There is a world of difference between sitting in the stand or on the bench and being out there on the pitch.”
Despite a disappointig Old Firm debut, Strachan did take heart from the performances of Stilian Petrov, Bobo Balde, Mo Camara and Paul Telfer.
He added: “I thought Petrov was excellent, Balde was excellent and Mo Camara had one of his best games in a Celtic shirt. I also thought Paul Telfer played well.
“Funnily enough it’s some of the guys who have no experience in this game who performed well.”
