Strachan hails Celtic performance

Georgios Samaras was on target for Strachan's side at Rugby Park

Gordon Strachan hailed his side's 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup as their best away performance of the season.

"I thought the attitude was absolutely first class," said the Celtic manager.

"We took the 'cup tie' aspect out of the game by passing the ball well, and there was good variation in our play."

"But the pitch helped - we've played on some dodgy pitches recently - and the players could think about passing the ball instead of fighting for it."

Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

The victory at Rugby Park made the Parkhead side the first to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Scott McDonald chipped in with a brace, with Gary Caldwell, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and debutant Georgios Samaras all netting one each to equal Celtic's best away result of the season.

And boss Strachan was pleased with the instant contribution of his new Greek striker.

"Georgios is something different. He's tall and with a varied running style. He gives us another dimension," he said.

Another player making his first start was right-back Paul Caddis, whose overlapping run and cross provided McDonald with the first goal.

"His link up play with Nakamura and his crossing was fantastic," Strachan said.

"We feel now he knows more about the game to progress, and I thought he was Excellent."