Strachan hailing Brown's display

Gordon Strachan thought St Mirren paid for their cup defeat

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan hailed midfielder Scott Brown after the 5-1 destruction of St Mirren.

"At one point in the second half, he was unplayable," said Strachan, who also praised his summer signing's work-rate in Paisley.

However, he explained the withdrawal of midfielder Evander Sno at the break.

"Evander needs more games," said Strachan. "He has been showing up well in short-sided games, but we have to work on his fitness."

Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Interview: Celtic player Scott Brown

Sno had been given a rare start after three midfielders were rested after Wednesday's victory over Spartak Moscow in the Champions League qualifier.

But the Celtic manager was delighted with his side's general play and thought that the hosts had paid for their midweek CIS Cup defeat by East Fife.

"We dominated the game," said Strachan.

MY SPORT: DEBATE I like the look of Scott Brown, but some of the stuff being said about him is just plain ridiculous BigBhoy1

"But we probably got St Mirren at the right time after that body blow on Tuesday and we took advantage of that.

"I can afford to change my side, but Gus MacPherson can't and we were just too much for St Mirren in the second half."

Strachan, who has an appeal pending over a touchline ban, had another brush with the fourth official.

"When the physio ran on, some bottles fell out of his bag, among other things, so I ran on the park to pick them up," he explained.

"I was told not to, so I just dropped them and told him he would need to pick them up himself.

"I was just trying to make sure nobody got hurt. It's getting silly now."