Latest news with #Strachan
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
I bossed Celtic to one of their worst ever results and this is what Dermot Desmond told me at full time
The Hoops crumbled to a shocking 5-0 defeat away to Slovakian minnows Artmedia Bratislava in 2005 Celtic crashed to one of the most embarrassing defeats in the club's history during Gordon Strachan's first game in charge. But the ex-Hoops boss ranks it as one of the defining matches that changed his life. The crestfallen Parkhead side were battered 5-0 in a 2005 Champions League second round qualifier away to Artmedia Bratislava. It was a horror start to the helm for Strachan, who was already an unpopular choice with supporters to replace the iconic Martin O'Neill. Celts did come close to completing a remarkable turnaround in the second leg, but fell short by a goal as the Slovakian minnows edged through 5-4 on aggregate. That saw them tumble out of Europe before the school holidays were even over as Strachan faced immediate heat from the raging green-and-white faithful. Yet despite a ropey start in the league, the Aberdeen legend managed to steady the ship by leading Celtic to three-in-a-row, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup. Throw in back-to-back qualification to the Champions League last 16 and Strachan is now fondly remembered by the Celtic fanbase. Strachan revealed he always had the backing of principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, who made a beeline for the crestfallen boss minutes after the full-time whistle in Bratislava. Reflecting on the moment that he believes shaped his four years in Glasgow, Strachan told FourFourTwo: "Getting beaten 5-0 in Bratislava in my first game at Celtic, you think you're the worst manager in the world - everybody else did that night! "Sometimes you think, 'How bad can things get?' On my tombstone, it will say, 'Even this is better than Bratislava.' "But to achieve anything in life, you have to take a few hits. I remember Dermot Desmond coming down after the game to reassure me that everything would be all right. "He said, 'You'll only see me when you're needing help.' I didn't see him too often, apart from on the golf course. My time at Celtic was terrific after that." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bite-sized chunks.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
49ers gifted Celtic transfer playbook and instant Rangers manoeuvre shows new rules are in effect
It has been a busy summer for the new owners of the Glasgow giants already Gordon Strachan reckons that 49ers Enterprises should conduct their transfer deals exactly like Celtic. And Rangers' new American owners may have already picked up that lesson amid ongoing talks over a sale of Hamza Igamane. Andrew Cavenagh and the investment wing of the NFL giants took charge of the Scottish Premiership side - with the 49ers doubling up on their ownership of Leeds United. And former Leeds' player and Celtic boss Strachan has urged chairman Paraag Marathe and the Elland Road decision-makers to follow Celtic's player trading model. Nicolas Kuhn 's £3million arrival in Glasgow's east end from Austrian side Rapid Vienna after a nomadic career turbo-charged his career before a £17.2million move to Como is the latest example of the player-trading model in motion. Discussing Leeds' chances in the Premier League after promotion, Strachan told OLBG: 'Ipswich spent a lot last year and went down, with Leeds there's no doubt they got in financial difficulties and they had to do a lot of work last year. 'I don't think Leeds United will put themselves in that position again because if you're the custodian of the club, the owners, you cannot put the club at risk. "I think the players that they have got to get cannot be on £300,000 a week. I think that there was a bit of that which happened a couple of years ago and there was definitely worries in the Leeds camp that they might have overstretched themselves. 'They will not overstretch themselves again. So that has to go down to player development. "If you look at Celtic, for instance, over the last four, five, six, seven years, they buy players in low, develop them and sell them for six, seven, eight times they come in. I think that's what's got to happen with Leeds." And the 49ers are currently trying to maximise the profit on Igamane - who arrived at Ibrox in a £1.7m move from AS FAR last summer. Rangers are standing firm on their £15million valuation of the striker amid ongoing talks with Lille - with the French side now reportedly "struggling" to get a deal over the line. Everton are among the suitors now showing interest with the door opening - with Udinese and Feyenoord on alert. Igamane could jolt the new look player-trading model into life - with Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Dor Turgeman understood to be among the contenders to replace the Morocco international. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham AFC: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney legacy hailed
The Hollywood stars completed their takeover at The Racecourse in February 2021 and success has followed with the Reds securing an historic third successive promotion last term. Back in the second tier for the first time in 43 years, Wrexham face the biggest step-up since beginning their rise up the football pyramid from the National League. Strachan says Wrexham will find it tough in the Championship but he feels the players should benefit from having momentum. And even if the Reds struggle when they come up against the likes of Ipswich Town and Southampton, former Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Strachan feels Reynolds and McElhenney have created a lasting legacy. Strachan told OLBG: 'It's an overpowering league because there's a good level to it, good strength, good fitness, physical side to it. It's non-stop. League One is a bit like that as well, but this has gone up a level again. 'Wherever Wrexham have been, they've managed to come up and lift themselves up again. Once you've got momentum that they've got, it's a powerful thing, and how good you feel about yourself and how strong you feel. 'If you've got this mental strength and you think you're really fantastically fit and you run about like a maniac, there's not much change to the physical side of it. 'But the mental side is different. I don't think they've had any real down moments, so that will be one to watch. 'If they struggle, which they've not done in the last five years since they've been taken over, you wonder what will happen. MORE WREXHAM AFC NEWS Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson hopes injured players are close to a return Former Wrexham striker Andy Mangan takes up new role at Brazilian club Botafogo. 'They've been exciting. They've added to football. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have come in. Whatever happens, they'll never be forgotten. 'I think that's a great thing about football, if you leave memories for people. That's what these two have done, these owners. 'They've gone in there and they're now not even, the memory is not just for Wrexham, but football itself.'
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Celtic insider drops huge hint over Brendan Rodgers' future and says ‘it's difficult to last more than three years'
GORDON STRACHAN reckons Brendan Rodgers might be on his way out of Celtic next summer. Rodgers, 52, has just one year left on the three year deal he signed when he sealed his return to Glasgow for a second stint in the dugout. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Brendan Rodgers is entering the final year of his contract Credit: PA 2 Gordon Strachan suspects the Hoops boss could be on his way out Credit: Darren Fletcher The Northern Irishman has confirmed he's held talks with Dermot Desmond and Celtic higher-ups about a possible extension but he's still not any closer to penning a new deal. Strachan knows all too well about the stress and pressures that comes with managing the Parkhead club - having spent four years in the role between 2005 and 2009. And he suspects the current Celtic manager could call it quits after another successful season with his boyhood club. Strachan remains very much in the know in the East End of Glasgow as his son Gavin is one of Rodgers' right-hand men in the Hoops dugout. He believes Desmond and Co must be shrewd in negotiations and not tempt Rodgers into naming his own terms - even if they're desperate for him to stay on. Strachan said: 'I wouldn't like a lifetime deal. Then no matter what happens you've got this deal. I don't think that's got to happen because both parties in this are not stupid. 'They know that even Brendan, and if you look at most managers, they spend about three years and then for most Celtic managers, they would like to go on somewhere else. 'It's not the club, the club's fantastic. Sometimes the fact that you're repeating yourself against the same teams week in, week out on plastic pitches. It's not easy to keep momentum going. 'You're going and playing in front of people with a small stadium, plastic pitches. There's no easy repetitiveness with the media. You're literally saying the same thing every week the media are asking the same questions every week, dealing with the same thing. 'The bonuses managers get at Celtic, you'll get European games, which is a great bonus for any manager. So that's what will entice you, but there's a problem of keeping that momentum going over a three, four, or five years period. 'It's not easy to motivate yourself week in, week out. Sometimes it's nice to have a refresher and go somewhere else. It's difficult for any Celtic manager to last more than three years. 'So I don't think it's wise, I don't think that conversation will take place on a long term contract." Strachan has urged the Celtic board to be careful and not allow the current situation to affect performance. Rodgers has made it clear that he won't allow the uncertainty around his future to impact Celtic's season. But Strachan fears there are no guarantees and has told the Celtic hierarchy to minds at ease as soon as possible - one way or another. He continued: 'The conversation will be how positive you are, are you still enjoying it, do you have any feelings about what to go at a specific time. 'Do you think you can last two, three, four years? If not, right, let's think about a short term contract. If you have a short term contract, we'll have the same conversation in a year's time. 'The players themselves then get a wee bit worried. Is the manager staying? Is the manager going? There becomes a grey area there. 'When I was at Southampton it was leaked that I was going to leave in the summer which made it difficult for the players because I think when it got leaked we were about fifth in the Premiership, fifth or sixth and I could see the players wavering after that because there was a kind of grey area. 'That is one of Celtic's problems if Brendan's only got a year to go, does he sign a new contract or does he not sign one. "If he doesn't sign one, then it becomes that kind of, is he going, is he staying? Which he could do without when you're a Celtic manager, when you're going for the league. 'I think there'll be more pressure from Rangers this year. It's hard enough to deal with winning and dealing with the pressure of winning and winning another league without this creeping in all the time. You know, are you staying, are you going?' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Gordon Strachan shares illuminating insight into Brendan Rodgers future at Celtic amid ‘grey area' warning
The Irishman is entering the final year of his Parkhead contract and Strachan knows better than anyone how he might be feeling Former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan suspects Brendan Rodgers might be about to embark on his final campaign with the Parkhead club. Rodgers has one more year left to run on the three year deal he signed when he returned to Glasgow's east end for a second stint at the helm, after leaving for Leicester City in 2019. The 52-year-old admitted recently he has not agreed to extend his deal despite holding recent talks with owner Dermot Desmond. And Strachan - who remains a trusted confidant of the club's billionaire Irish owner - believes the former Liverpool manager might be ready to call it quits again in less than 12 months time. In a remarkably candid interview Strachan insists it would be a mistake for Celtic to try to tempt Rodgers into naming his own terms - and says three years in the job might take the Northern Irishman to his limits. Speaking with the Online Betting Guide (OLBG) Strachan, whose son Gavin is part of Rodgers' backroom team, said: 'I wouldn't like a lifetime deal. Then no matter what happens you've got this deal. I don't think that's got to happen because both parties in this are not stupid. 'They know that even Brendan, and if you look at most managers, they spend about three years and then for most Celtic managers, they would like to go on somewhere else. 'It's not the club, the club's fantastic. Sometimes the fact that you're repeating yourself against the same teams week in, week out on plastic pitches. It's not easy to keep momentum going. 'You're going and playing in front of people with a small stadium, plastic pitches. There's no easy repetitiveness with the media. 'You're literally saying the same thing every week, the media are asking the same questions every week, dealing with the same thing. 'The bonuses managers get at Celtic, you'll get European games, which is a great bonus for any manager. "So that's what will entice you, but there's a problem of keeping that momentum going over a three, four, or five years period. 'It's not easy to motivate yourself week in, week out. Sometimes it's nice to have a refresher and go somewhere else. It's difficult for any Celtic manager to last more than three years. 'So I don't think it's wise, I don't think that conversation will take place on a long term contract.' In fact, Strachan believes any discussions with Rodgers should begin with asking how much the manager has left in his tank. And he expressed concerns that any uncertainty over the position may have a negative impact inside Celtic's dressing room as the champions go after a fifth successive league title. He went on: 'The conversation will be how positive you are, are you still enjoying it, do you have any feelings about what to go at a specific time. 'Do you think you can last two, three, four years? If not, right, let's think about a short term contract. "If you have a short term contract, we'll have the same conversation in a year's time. 'The players themselves then get a wee bit worried. Is the manager staying? Is the manager going? There becomes a grey area there. 'When I was at Southampton it was leaked that I was going to leave in the summer which made it difficult for the players because I think when it got leaked we were about fifth in the Premiership and I could see the players wavering after that because there was a kind of grey area. 'That is one of Celtic's problems if Brendan's only got a year to go, does he sign a new contract or does he not sign one. 'If he doesn't sign one, then it becomes that kind of, is he going, is he staying? Which he could do without when you're a Celtic manager, when you're going for the league. 'I think there'll be more pressure from Rangers this year. It's hard enough to deal with winning and dealing with the pressure of winning and winning another league without this creeping in all the time. You know, are you staying, are you going?' And Strachan has backed the appointment of Rangers boss Russell Martin on the other side of the city - despite initial reservations from the Ibrox support following his sacking from Southampton last season. He said: 'Managers who have been at loads of clubs, do they think this is the best club in the world or is it a money making exercise? 'That's definitely not Russell's attitude. He might not have the outlandish personality some fans want, someone jumping up and down the line and doing brutal, in your face interviews, that's what the fans want. 'The people who are picking the manager have to be above that. They have to want a manager who has a plan, who knows what he's doing, who can take on the challenge, is enthusiastic and he still has anger to do well. 'I think that's what they're going to get with Russell. He will probably have a bit of anger. "The fact that he left Southampton, he's got to kind of reinvent himself again and say to the world that I'm a good coach. 'There's a good coach and there's a good manager. Russell is a good coach. Now the test is if he is a top, top manager because when you join Rangers or Celtic, it's not your coaching that's really tested. It's your mental fortitude, your resilience, your character. 'That's what's tested when you become a Rangers manager. That is what will be new to Russell. 'It was a bit like that for me and I was older than Russell when I took the Celtic job. You think you've got a good idea how you're going to handle it and what it's got to be like then you realise, nope, no, I didn't have a clue it's got to be like this. It's manic.'
