Strachan using the heid to solve midfield dilemma

Last updated : 02 May 2009 By Mikbhoy

Caldwell in his secondary midfield role today?

Aberdeen were, of course, Celtic's last league opponents just two weeks ago when Jimmy Calderwood's team were beaten 2-0 at Celtic Park in the final pre-split game. Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were both on target against the Don's and a similar margin of victory will be more than sufficient today.

The Huns don't face Hearts until Sunday so the champions will be looking to increase their lead at the top of the table to four points in order to crank up the pressure on Walter Smith's perennial under-achievers and Gordon Strachan insists that his Bhoys are under no pressure at all. "It's not pressure, it is excitement." he said. "There is pressure for the fans because they have to come and watch. All they can do is sing, enjoy themselves and get worried. We can actually participate in the games, so there is excitement for us. But there's been excitement for the last three years. We seem to have handled it okay and we keep our fingers crossed that we have the same mentality to do the same again."

"Personally, I just have to keep it on a level." continued the manager. "I can't get too disappointed or excited. For the players it's exciting, for the club it's exciting but I'm enjoying it. The players seem fine, if their recent performances are anything to go by. The attitude has been first-class and the football has been very good. The variation has been good and they know what to expect. It's another challenge for them, but an exciting one."

The 4-2 reverse on their last trip to the North-East was a disappointment but that was the manager's only loss at Pittodrie since he became the boss at Celtic Park. "We always have good games against Aberdeen." he said. "We have been relatively successful over the last four years against them, but they are always good games. The players know that a hard game is coming up and hopefully they are switched on. In some of the recent away games, because of the condition of the football fields, it's been more of a physical test than a football test. So, we'll have to see what the game throws up on Saturday."

Scott Brown begins his two match suspension today and the manager is perfectly happy with the players that he does have at his disposal. Gary Caldwell played in central midfield in Friday's training match but Strachan would not confirm whether Heid would be utilised in that position today. "We have good players to come in." he said. "Gary Caldwell has played in there on many occasions, while Paul Hartley has been brilliant for us. There are other players who can also come in. Okay, they are different from Scott, but that's fine. We can adapt."