Strachan couldn't watch Rangers-Motherwell clash

May 11 2008 By Gordon Waddell

CELTIC boss Gordon Strachan admitted he couldn't watch Rangers' nerve-shredding 90 minutes against Motherwell in midweek - because he doesn't want to feel like a vulture waiting to swoop.

Every Hoops fan is desperately waiting for Gers to slip up and spill the points that would open the door to a third title on the trot.

But Strachan gave Barry Ferguson's 74th minute winner a wide berth - and watched the game in Spain that ended the Barca reign of Frank Rijkaard. Strach said: "I took in Real Madrid against Barcelona but couldn't watch the Scottish game. I get too excited.

"You feel like a bit of a vulture watching it as well and I'd rather not be like that.

"So I just waited until the end and got the result. If we still had to play one of the teams it would be different. We watched Rangers on Sunday at Easter Road to analyse the Hibs side of things for this weekend."

Despite needing Gers to drop points, Strachan insists he is enjoying the pressure of the race to the line.

He said: "It is possible to enjoy it, believe it or not, because chasing it is something new for us, it's a fresh challenge.

"Okay, I'd rather be 10 points ahead but there's nothing I can do about that because Rangers have been so consistent.

"But it's like being a golfer working out how many different shots you can play - can you fade it, can you draw it.

"As a manager I'm adding more clubs to my bag with what we're going through this season.

"I've done the fighting relegation thing, got to cup finals, got to Europe, won titles, so this is a change, another club to add to the bag.

"All we can do is win the game as that at least ensures the league goes to the last fixture."