Strachan hails Nakamura restraint

Nakamura earned a penalty in Sunday's win over Kilmarnock

Gordon Strachan says midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura did well not to react to a "slap on the head" during Sunday's 3-1 win against Kilmarnock.

Nakamura and defender Frazer Wright clashed after the Japanese playmaker earned a penalty at Rugby Park.

"To be provoked like that and turn away from it is fantastic," said Strachan.

Meanwhile, the Celtic manager and defender Mark Wilson believe the current squad is the strongest in Strachan's three years at the club.

Celtic were awarded a penalty late in the game when Nakamura went down under a challenge from Craig Bryson.

To be provoked like that and turn away from it is fantastic Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Allan Combe suggested Nakamura went down too easily for the spot-kick.

The Japanese midfielder was confronted by Wright after referee Mike McCurry pointed to the spot and Strachan praised his midfielder for showing restraint.

"Now, trust me, if that had been a Celtic or Rangers player, it might even have made the front page of some of the tabloids," said Strachan.

"Imagine if it had been Neil Lennon in his heyday? But it was kind of swept under the carpet.

"In any other business, if you get a smack on the head, you say something about it."

Turning his attention to Sunday's performance, Strachan said he was delighted with the depth of his squad this season.

"When I look at the bench we had against Aalborg you think 'that's a decent squad'," said the Celtic boss, who surprised many by leaving out winger Aiden McGeady in recent matches.

"In this one, I think you can see in my choices that I've got more confidence in all the squad."

MY SPORT: DEBATE What do you think of the Nakamura penalty decision?

Wilson echoed his manager's views on the current crop of players at Celtic Park and said none of the players could take a first-team place for granted.

"This is definitely the best Celtic squad since I came here, without a doubt," the former Dundee United right-back said.

"There was a time when you thought that maybe you were guaranteed to play two games in a row, but the squad is being been rotated and it's quite difficult to hold down a place.

"But it's better this way than being down to the bare bones and people playing out of position like we had in the last few years."