Gordon Strachan Players Quotations

Only five of my players came up to the standard I would accept,

Scotland have a system which is getting better, but it's players who win and lose games. Look at England. They have a system, but if the opposition players jump higher, tackle harder and shoot better, your system is in trouble.

What you have tomorrow is two teams in a rich vein of form. I won't kid my players - they are playing against a very good Hearts team.

When you make those decisions, it is hard because you know you have to let down people who are playing well. I just wish we had that sort of competition everywhere in the team. Two of our best players form-wise have not been getting a game, but I don't have that dilemma elsewhere. The rest of the team really picks itself.

The players gave me exactly what I expected of them, both the guys who have been here doing it for the last five years and the newer ones who stood shoulder to shoulder with them and didn't let them down. The vision I have for Celtic must include the heart and character they showed tonight but we also have to play better and get fitter.

We went over the goals again with the players this morning,

A lot of us were angry at the interval, ... Angry at being behind, angry at some refereeing decisions, so I told the players to turn that energy into positive energy in the second half. I think they did that.

A lot of us were angry at the interval. Angry at being behind, angry at some refereeing decisions, so I told the players to turn that energy into positive energy in the second half. I think they did that.

We have to check on what the week has taken out of the international players physically,

I can't comment on players who are involved with their particular clubs in the future, and the same applies to Wayne Bridge.

He's one of the best young players in Scotland and the price wasn't extortionate. He has ability and he's willing to learn. This signing also brings down the average age of the team.