Strachan not seeking big changes

[histon]

Strachan not seeking big changes

Celtic captain Neil Lennon was presented with the SPL trophy
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan stressed that there would not be a great overhaul of his squad after they received the SPL trophy on Sunday.
"In my first year, 13 players left and it was similar last year," he said after the 3-1 defeat at home to Hearts.

"We don't need or want that again, so two or three will be coming in, while I don't really want to lose anyone."

Celtic have been linked with Everton's James Beattie, but Strachan said that he had a long list of possible targets.


Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
Interview: Celtic captain Neil Lennon

The striker, who has been struggling at Goodison Park, played for Strachan at Southampton.

"I know James, but if I was going to do something with him, I would talk to his manager, Davie Moyes, first," said Strachan, who said his scouts had been looking around the world for talent. There's no one person, no matter how hard he tries, who will take the happiness away from me

Gordon Strachan

"There's a lot of names, a comprehensive list and, for all I know, James Beattie's name might be there somewhere."

Strachan was delighted to have retained the title with a squad he thought was still learning at the top level.

"We had more experience and more big personalities last year, so it's fantastic to have come out and won the trophy without all those guys," he said.

The Celtic manager insisted that the defeat by Hearts - and being sent to the stand by referee Stuart Dougal - would not dampen his celebrations.

"There's no way it is going to take the gloss off this," said Strachan, whose side clinched the title last week away to Kilmarnock.

"Not one person, no matter how hard he tries, who will take this happiness away from me.

"We played extremely well today and created lots of chances against a very good team.

"We played Hearts six months ago and we did not have as many chances.

"If we play as well as that next season, I will be happy."

Captain Neil Lennon, who received the trophy from former Celtic midfielder Lubo Moravcik, admitted that it had been an emotional week.

"We've had a long week celebrating and the result did not go for us, but it was academic," said the veteran midfielder who announced in midweek that he would be leaving the club in the summer.

"I have been crying for a couple of days about things, but I'm not too bad today.

"I have no regrets about my time here at all and the time is right."

[jayp]

i reckon gordon will manage leeds one day.

[histon]

might