Strachan hails Celtic after Euro nightmare

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan hailed his side as heroes for overcoming their European heartache with a 1-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

The Parkhead club exited European competition on Tuesday following a 2-1 away defeat to Denmark's Aalborg in their Champions League Group E clash.

But despite a poor performance against Inverness the home side managed to grind out the win that puts them seven points clear in the race for the championship.

And Strachan praised his players for the way they reacted to their midweek disappointment as his side won their 12th league game in a row.

“In the game against Inverness they have showed that when they are not at their best they are still able to get the win,” Strachan said.

“It shows they can deal with situations, they can deal with disappointments and at this moment in time the squad can deal with injuries.

“In this unbeaten league run we have also had to play Champions League games, League Cup games and I have had six of my players away playing quite a lot of times in international games. So this squad of players have had quite a lot to deal with.

“It is hard for supporters as well, emotionally, to get through what we've been through. They've been on the same journey as us.

“They physical side has taken its toll at times on the players but they're joined in the mental side as well.”

Celtic striker Scott McDonald said the club's long winning streak in the league hasn't been discussed in the changing rooms.

“We want to win every game and I guess that if we keep this run going it puts pressure on our rivals to keep winning as well,” the Australian international added.

“There are lots of games to be played and lots of work to be done as we are a long way from the end of the season.

“But there are three trophies to be won and we want to win them all.”

On Saturday, Celtic increased their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to seven points with a sluggish performance in a 1-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Midfielder Shaun Maloney scored the only goal of a poor game after half an hour as the home side made it 12 wins on the trot in the SPL.

Earlier in the day Old Firm rivals Rangers blew the chance to reduce the gap at the top as they went down 2-1 to ten-men Hearts at Tynecastle with goals from Marius Zaliukas and Laryea Kingston before Rangers pulled one back through a Christos Karipidis own goal.

At Parkhead there was a slow start with several Celtic players showing signs of a European hangover following their midweek defeat at the hands of Aalborg.

Despite enjoying lots of possession Inverness lacked the creativity to get past a stubborn Celtic defence and failed to trouble Artur Boruc in goal.

It was Maloney, who had looked lively throughout, that gave Celtic the lead after 30 minutes.

Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura played a wonderful ball over the top of the Inverness defence for Maloney, who took a touch on his chest before stroking the ball into the net.

Inverness rallied in the final minutes of the half and Doug Imrie chipped well over Boruc's bar and Ian Black wasted a good chance when his shot-cum-cross sailed well wide of the goal.

McDonald should have doubled Celtic's lead in the 67th minute. Substitute Lee Naylor curled a perfect pass behind the Inverness defence for the Australian striker but keeper Esson was glad to watch his chipped shot trickle by the post.

Inverness again saw plenty of the ball but their lack of cutting edge allowed Celtic to hold on for the win without registering a shot on target in the second-half.