Strachan admits to title nerves

Gordon Strachan praised goalscorer Derek Riordan

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits that the thought of clinching the Scottish Premier League title is weighing heavily on his players.

"I thought we started the game well, but we became nervous," he said after the 1-0 win over Motherwell.

"Seven or eight players have not won a title before and find it very strange.

"There were six or seven today who were not up to standard, but it will be a great benefit to them to have come through this."

Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Strachan admitted that there was also tension among the supporters.

People talk about Derek and his off-the-field stuff, but he is a model pro Gordon Strachan

"We were a nervous club out there, on and off the park," he said..

Strachan had reacted angrily in a pre-match interview to being questioned about his decision to play Maciej Zurawski instead of Derek Riordan.

Zurawski came off injured and Riordan came on to score the winner.

"It's all about opinions and people are welcome to them, but I pick the Celtic team," Strachan said afterwards.

"But it's something that I have been thinking about, but Derek prefers to come in from the left rather than be up front.

"I thought he did well when he came on.

"People talk about Derek and his off-the-field stuff, but he is a model pro.

"If every player was like Derek, I would have no problems."