Celtic manager Strachan cheered by Japan star Nakamura

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan praised Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura after the midfielder scored a fine goal in the 3-1 over St Mirren.

The win was Celtic's 11th in succession and consolidated their position at the Scottish Premier League summit.

Greek striker Georgios Samaras opened the scoring for the reigning champions in the 64th minute of the game at Love Street before setting up Nakamura for Celtic's second.

The former Reggina man received Samaras's pass, cut inside and guided the ball into the far corner of the goal from 12 yards out, leaving boss Strachan purring.

“You can show the second goal all night,” said Strachan, who named Nakamura in his starting eleven three days after the midfielder played the full 90 minutes of Japan's 3-0 World Cup 2010 qualifying win over Qatar on Wednesday.

“I thought Nakamura was fantastic all day. Maybe people didn't expect it on a day which was grey and horrible.”

Substitute Cillian Sheridan sealed the victory for the visitors with 10 minutes remaining before Jim Hamilton nodded in a late consolation goal for the home side.

Rangers manager Walter Smith says he doesn't feel under pressure having to play catch-up after watching his side win 2-0 against Aberdeen.

The Ibrox side had found themselves temporarily seven points behind Celtic before their win over the Dons reduced the gap to four.

But Gers boss Smith said playing after their Old Firm rivals doesn't add any pressure on him or his players as their fans always expect them to win.

“These things happen every week now as we hardly ever play at the same time so it's not a pressure on us,” Smith said.

“The pressure, if it is such a thing, comes from having to win a football match. That's the main thing from our own point of view. I think our performances recently have been good.

“I think there is always the perception that, especially if you are coming to Ibrox, teams are just going to turn up and there is not going to be a game. I think that is something people in Scotland take for granted a little bit.

“We are not going to go out and play in the manner we would like to play every game and walk off with the win. It doesn't happen like that.”

Smith praised his players for their performance against Aberdeen, with the Ibrox club missing four first-team regulars for the match as Steven Davis was joined by Sasa Papac, Madjid Bougherra and Kenny Miller on the injury list.

“We still have a fair way to go before we can lose a number of players and still play in the same manner but I felt they played very well,” said the Rangers chief.

“We are just trying to settle our team down just now. I think we have been doing that reasonably successfully lately. We've been playing at a good level and had one or two little inconsistencies in our play.

“Losing four players who have been playing regularly for us this season and having to cover for that in the game against Aberdeen was a big thing for us.”

Goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Kris Boyd secured the 2-0 win for Rangers as the Dons' 17-year wait for a win at Ibrox continued.