Bhoys have plenty heart to tough out Tynecastle tightrope

The size of Valdas Ivanauskas's side matches the threat they pose to Celtic's title, a fact of which the Parkhead side will be reminded when they go head-to-head with the impressive Tynecastle outfit on Sunday.

Last season, it looked like men against Bhoys as Hearts' giants towered over Celtic at set pieces.

Despite this height and weight advantage, Celtic more than held their own, coming back off the ropes to win the crucial New Year's Day match which, on reflection, was the pivotal moment in the destination of the SPL title.

Since then, Celtic have lost even more of their big men, with Chris Sutton and John Hartson - traditionally two of the club's big hitters - departing the scene.

Defeat in Yokohama yesterday underlined to Strachan how great is the need to add more strength in depth with a physical presence to a side which is big on talent but short on bulk.

However, while the make-up of teams and players may alter, the crossbar will always remain eight feet off the ground. With no new faces arriving before Sunday, and with even less room to manoeuvre with Kenny Miller picking up a hamstring injury while training in Japan, Strachan will rely on brain not brawn when the teams who finished first and second last season clash.

He said: "We are a different style of team from Hearts. But what you will get from the start on Sunday is 22 players going at it hammer and tongs.

"And if they all show the same respect to one another as the players did in last Saturday's game between ourselves and Kilmarnock, then we will be all right and it will be a good game."

Ideally, Strachan's Celtic side of choice will always consist not only of players who stand out not only because of their stature, but also their talent.

Jiri Jarosik fits the bill, as he confirmed with his competitive debut performance last weekend. But in Strachan's book, having a big heart is as important as having a big shirt size.

He said: "Yes, Jiri can handle himself. But I also like the smaller ones like Aiden McGeady who got kicked and just got up, got kicked again and just got up again.

"There's no retaliation, and Naka is the same. So, we know we can take a kick, though it does not entitle people just to kick us. It's how you react to it, and the best way is to get back up and hurt them by continuing to play well."

McGeady and Nakamura will have to display this ability to bounce back once again, this time to convince the manager they have recovered from the exertions of travelling to Japan for yesterday's 3-0 loss against Yokohama.

With Shaun Maloney undergoing surgery on his hernia problem in Germany today, and Miller likely to be out for a couple of weeks, the excellent form being shown by McGeady is vital.

He has grasped the opportunity which has been presented: "But he has got to earn that chance, and he has earned it with his last few performances, which is good," insisted the manager who admires the talent of the 20-year-old but can be as frustrated as anyone in the stands at the lack of consistency.

"We worked on bits of his game last week, like how he delivers his final ball. I'm glad we did as it came to fruition on Saturday. As the A-team would say, it's great when a plan comes together."

The prospect of losing Maloney for any length of time brings the serious Strachan back to the plate. He has his fingers crossed that early predictions he could be out for up to six weeks are erring on the side of pessimism, and will welcome today's news it is more likely to be half that time.

But, that is matter for others on the staff, as he explained: "If they're not fit, I just leave them to the medical people because I have got to concentrate on the players I do have fit and give them the time and attention they need.

"I can't worry about what could be or might be. I know the reality and have got to work with that."

Which includes the fact new striker Miller has yet to hit the back of the net for the club.

The former Wolves man was taken to Japan but could take no part in the disappointing 90 minutes after pulling up in training.

While keeping Miller's chin up is testing his man-management skills, Strachan says strike partner Maciej Zurawski - himself no stranger to injuries and goal droughts - has an even bigger role to play in this regard.

He said: "Last year Maciej found it difficult to get going with goals because it was a transitional period for him and the club.

"Kenny might find the same thing, so Maciej can help him.

"I thought the workrate of Kenny and of the whole team was outstanding last weekend.

"That told me a lot because it showed me the players thought, 'We can play here, we can handle playing in front of our fans'.

"We told the players they'd not be given time to bed in. There is no waiting about."

So, has the 4-1 victory, and the manner in which it was achieved, removed the pressure which had built up through the disappointing pre-season games, with their every flight and performance criticised?

Perhaps getting a glimpse in his mind's eye of the headlines which would await his return from Japan later today, Strachan almost cracked a smile as he replied: "The pressure will be back on as soon as we get something that looks like a bad result.

"It's just what you have to live with. And, as a group, we've handled it no problem whatsoever.

"The ironic thing is I look at Chelsea this week and they are over in California for the third time in the last few years.

"We get all the papers from England, and there is not a dickie bird said about them being over there."

Another example of the Scottish penchant for building people up just to try and knock them down again?

"But that's us in Scotland, and not just in football. That's our style," Strachan agreed.

Taken from Evening Times