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Tired Celts surviving on pride, says Strachan
GLASGOW (AFP) - Gordon Strachan admits his Celtic side are tiring as they close in on a league and cup double this season.
On Saturday the Parkhead club clinched their place in the Scottish Cup final with a 2-1 win over First Division side St Johnstone at Hampden.
However, a battling display from the Perth side meant Celtic were never convincing winners and continued their recent run of poor performances.
Although they are only one victory away from securing their second consecutive Scottish Premier League title, the Glasgow giants have only won one game from their last four league matches.
Despite Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's two goals seeing off the challenge of St Johnstone, who levelled through an own goal from Celtic's Stephen McManus, their performance in the semi-final was far from impressive.
Strachan acknowledged his side are not operating at full capacity but says memories of their achievements so far this season will keep them going until the end of the campaign.
The Celtic manager said: "What we are running on at the moment is pride - pride that we got to the last 16 of the Champions League, pride that we are 13 points clear in the SPL, proud that four of my players are in the running for the Players' Player of the Year awards and proud to be in the cup final.
"We're not running on fantastic football, not running on too much energy so we are running on pride and determination."
While Strachan accepts Celtic did not hit top form in Saturday's semi he believes this was partly due to the efforts of St Johnstone.
The Perth side have already proved they can defeat SPL sides this season in the two cups and are currently sitting second in the First Division behind leaders Gretna in the race for the one promotion place to the top division.
And Strachan believes they will be an asset to the SPL when they do eventually get there.
He said: "You seen a good St Johnstone side who will be a good addition to the Scottish Premier League when they get there.
"Five SPL teams have tried to beat them this year. Hibs managed to only after extra-time in the League Cup semi-final.
"They also beat Rangers 2-0 at Ibrox in the League Cup so they are doing well.
"St Johnstone deserve a chance in the SPL that's for sure."
In Saturday's game Celtic had taken the lead in the 13th minute from the penalty spot, after Vennegoor of Hesselink fell in the 18-yard box after a challenge from St Johnstone goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert.
The Dutch striker took the kick himself and his low shot struck the bottom of the post before finding the net.
This could have signalled the start of a Celtic walkover against their lower league opponents but in the 19th minute St Johnstone were level.
Paul Sheerin's cross into the penalty area found Peter MacDonald who took a touch before lifting the ball over the head of Celtic's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Although McManus managed to get his head to the ball on the line he could only help it into the net.
Celtic came out of the half-time break in a positive frame of mind and in the 54th minute they regained their lead.
A corner kick from Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura found Vennegoor of Hesselink at the front post and he sent an unstoppable header past Cuthbert to take Celtic through to the final which will be played at Hampden on Saturday, May 26.
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