Celtic 0-1 Motherwell

Apr 6 2008 Mark Guidi At Parkhead

Question Mark Hanging Over Boss's Future

THE SPL has gone. Now the big question at Celtic Park is what the future holds for Gordon Strachan.

It appears few supporters think the Parkhead manager is entitled to another season in the hotseat.

I reckon he deserves another crack at it after the success of the first two years. But he must rectify his mistakes if he stays on.

Errors like failing to buy a centre-half to play alongside Stephen McManus during the summer and being too loyal to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink this season.

But the only thing that matters now is what Dermot Desmond, Peter Lawwell and John Reid think is the way ahead.

For certain, they don't want to sack Strachan. But if fans do not renew their season books in the coming weeks and the remaining home games of this campaign are as big a letdown as yesterday they may have no choice but to pay him off.

Strachan is not a quitter and resents claims that he doesn't have the stomach for a fight next season. He's up for it. And two wins against Rangers this month would show that.

The Hoops boss needs to prove he can put out a side that can beat Gers on April 16.

Celtic were supposed to put some pressure on Walter Smith's side by cutting their lead at the top to three points yesterday.

With Rangers facing a tricky trip to Dundee United this afternoon, Strachan's side could have fired themselves into contention again after last weekend's Old Firm defeat.

But it didn't go to plan. Simon Lappin's winner for 10-man Well made sure of that.

Yet former skipper Neil Lennon's arrival in the Parkhead dugout gave the crowd a lift prior to kick-off. The new coach received a fine ovation as he took his seat alongside Strachan and assistant manager Garry Pendrey.

Whether Lennon's presence had anything to do with it or not, Celts set a ferocious pace from the off and had the Motherwell goal under intense pressure early on.

Driven on by the energy and industry of Scott Brown in midfield the home team wasted three good chances.

Brown failed to hit the target from inside the box as did Shunsuke Nakamura.

Massimo Donati then dribbled past a couple of Well defenders and had the option to cut the ball back for Scott McDonald.

However, the Italian midfielder chose to shoot from an acute angle and his effort was blocked by keeper Graeme Smith.

McDonald was furious and gave Donati pelters for being selfish.

Celtic continued to push and Aiden McGeady jinked his way down the wing in 20 minutes.

His chip into the box was met by Vennegoor of Hesselink but the striker's header hit the bar.

Artur Boruc didn't have a thing to do although he made a mess of a Gary Caldwell passback and was lucky to see the ball bobble behind for a corner.

Teams are often punished for failing to convert chances and that's what happened to Celtic after 33 minutes.

Mark McGhee'smen attacked in numbers and Marc Fitzpatrick fired in a shot from the edge of the area that was parried by Boruc at full stretch.

As as the ball dropped Lappin was there to volley home from seven yards. It was an excellent finish from the on-loan Norwich City man but Boruc wasn't too convincing as he dealt with Fitzpatrick's shot.

Celtic were booed off by their fans at half time and needed to start the second period well.

And they were thrown a lifeline after Bob Malcolm was red-carded in 50 minutes for catching Donati with a late tackle.

McGhee was raging with the decision and gave Donati both barrels as the player waited to get back on the pitch after receiving treatment.

However, the Well gaffer's venom was nothing compared to the reaction of the home fans on the hour mark when McDonald was subbed for Georgios Samaras.

They booed Strachan. Big time.

McDonald then stood on the touchline, stared out his manager and waved his arms to show his disapproval.

The Aussie threw his tracksuit top to the deck in the dugout and embarrassed himself with that appalling reaction.

Celtic tried to pile on the pressure against 10-man Well as the game wore on.

McGeady struck Smith's right-hand post with a shot before Smith tipped an Andreas Hinkel effort over the bar.

But Motherwell were fairly comfortable and never really looked as though they were a man down. Celtic's woeful final ball also made life easier for the Lanarkshire outfit.

Strachan's side have seven games to go. It's going to be a long end to the season for them.

MATCH FACTS

SHOTS ON 4

SHOTS OFF 9

OFFSIDE 2

FOULS 14

CORNERS 10

BOOKINGS 0

SHOTS ON 1

SHOTS OFF 3

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS11

CORNERS 4

BOOKINGS 2

REF WATCH

CALUM MURRAY looked nervous and was rarely in control of the game. Made some strange decisions but called the Bob Malcolm red card decision correctly. Deserves credit for spotting the over-the-top tackle on Celtic star Massimo Donati. Rating: 5/10.