Strachan plays down Austrian link
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is on the look-out for new players – but insists Austria captain Andreas Ivanschitz is not one of them.
The Hoops’ boss had been linked with a move for the £1m (€1.5m)-rated Rapid Vienna midfielder.
But the former Scotland international played down any move for 22-year-old Ivanschitz.
Strachan said: “Apologies to Andreas, but I have not seen him play and I don‘t really know his name, so that kind of answers the question.
“Unless the scouting staff come up with his name soon, then that‘s a ‘no’ on that one.”
But Strachan added: “We have plans for the next 18 months, which are ongoing. We are watching players all over the world.”
Strachan is aiming to close the gap on Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Hearts when Motherwell arrive at Celtic Park tomorrow.
The Tynecastle players were left stunned by the departure of manager George Burley at the weekend with the club citing “irreconcilable differences” for his exit.
However, the former Scotland international has left the club with a three-point lead over the Hoops at the top of the SPL.
But the former Coventry and Southampton manager insists his relationship with the Celtic hierarchy is as strong as it has been at his other clubs.
Strachan said: “I have an excellent relationship with the board.
“I have been lucky with the three clubs I have managed. Maybe that‘s me and I‘ve just stumbled into decent boards.”
But Strachan concedes the Jambos have made his own team‘s start to the campaign look “ordinary” this season.
Strachan said: “If I was marking our start to the season, I would give us one mark less than Hearts.
“I didn‘t really have a plan at the start. I just wanted to see how it went with hard work and training and go for it.
“Any other season it would be quite a good start, but, because of what Hearts have done, they have made it look quite ordinary.”
But Strachan insists nobody can gauge the effect Burley’s exit will have on the SPL leaders, who are unbeaten this season.
He added: “I expected Hearts to do very well, but I am surprised with the number of points they have collected.
“I have no idea how it will affect them. They might even improve and that would be a blow for everybody.”
But Strachan is looking forward to seeing how far his own side have come since the 4-4 draw at Fir Park on the opening day of the campaign.
Celtic squandered a 3-1 half-time lead in Lanarkshire, just three days after the 5-0 defeat by Artmedia Bratislava in the Champions League second qualifying round, first leg.
However, the Hoops’ back-line have enjoyed seven clean-sheets since then through sheer hard work.
Strachan said: “I am looking forward to it. Motherwell are scoring goals regularly and quite a number of them were against us.
“I hope we have improved defensively since then. Our record should be getting better as the season goes on.
“But I suppose they will think they have also improved and this is a good marker to see how both teams are getting on.
“I wouldn’t enjoy a repeat of the first game, but we have worked hard on the defence since then.
“I am pleased with the defenders and I hope they can keep their displays going.”
