Celtic will just keep going says Strachan

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says his tired players will just have to keep going after his side ground out a 2-0 win over Motherwell on Saturday in the Scottish Premier League.

The Hoops gaffer's squad has been ravaged by injury with midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura and keeper Artur Boruc the latest to head for the treatment room.

The Japanese international will be missing for around two weeks with a knee injury while Polish star Boruc is expected to undergo an operation this week.

They join Georgios Samaras, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Chris Killen, Marc Crosas and Glen Loovens on the sidelines as Celtic enter a busy schedule of games starting with an SPL clash against Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

And Strachan says the injuries may force him to continue fielding the same side as Celtic continue their quest for domestic and European glory.

“It's not easy but the players are sticking to their job and doing well. I think we are up to a full team of injuries now but the rest of us just have to get on with it,” Strachan said.

“Nakamura injured himself on Thursday. He gave it a go on training on Friday and the doctor sent him away for a scan. It's not good news as it's his knee and he will be missing for a couple of weeks. He will not need an operation but he has to rest it for a few weeks.

“Against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night we will go again and send the same players out. I think Georgios Samaras will return to training this week but Wednesday will be too early for him.”

On Saturday Celtic were forced to work hard for a 2-0 victory over ten-man Motherwell which extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic's midweek Champions League exertions seemed to have taken their toll on the Parkhead players but it was Paul Hartley who gave them the lead just before half-time before David Clarkson saw red for elbowing substitute Paul Caddis.

Motherwell's hopes of getting a point were extinguished when former Fir Park favourite Scott McDonald doubled Celtic's advantage that took them five points clear of Rangers, who play Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Celtic made only one change from the side that drew with Manchester United with Mark Brown replacing Artur Boruc in goal as the Polish keeper prepares for knee surgery next week.

In the opening stages the Celtic players looked tired and it was Motherwell who thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute.

John Sutton's header looked to have crossed the line before Shaun Maloney got his head to it to clear.

McDonald thought he had scored after 44 minutes when he headed home at the back post from a Paul Hartley cross but his effort was ruled out for a foul on Paul Quinn.

Celtic took the lead with seconds of the half remaining through Hartley. The midfielder controlled a headed clearance on his chest and then rifled in a low drive past Smith from 20 yards.

Motherwell were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute when Clarkson appeared to catch substitute Paul Caddis in the face with his arm after he lashed out when the Celtic defender pulled him back by the shirt.

Celtic doubled their advantage after 70 minutes through former Motherwell striker McDonald. The ball broke to him on the edge of the box and he unleashed a low drive which flew under the arms of Smith.

Caddis came close with a curling effort in the 80th minute and sub Koki Mizuno, on for his debut, hit an effort just over the bar in injury time as Celtic dominated the final period.