Strachan: Victory matters most May 11 2008
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan praised his players for their part in an entertaining encounter against Hibernian at Parkhead - then claimed only the three points mattered.
The SPL champions struggled at times to contain an enthusiastic visiting side but goals by skipper Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald, his 31st of the season, handed the Hoops a 2-0 win.
It also re-established their four-point lead over Rangers at the top of the table.
Strachan's men, who have one SPL game left against Dundee United at Tannadice, put the pressure back on their Old Firm rivals, although the Gers have three games remaining.
Strachan stressed that while his team always try and play good football, he is well aware only victories matter at Celtic Park.
"It was a good game and a fitting finish to the season at Parkhead," Strachan said. "It was end to end and, at one point, it was like basketball.
"So I think everyone got their money's worth although obviously we are more satisfied than Hibs.
"But, trust me, it's all about the result. I've heard some rubbish since I've come here about people wanting to see stylish football and all the rest of it but everybody wants to watch winning football.
"We will try and perform at the same time as you've seen against Hibs but trust me, if we had performed like that and got beaten, there would have been all hell to pay."
While the Bhoys have to wait 11 days before the trip to Tannadice, their Glasgow rivals play Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday before finishing off their league campaign.
Strachan said: "I wish Rangers all the best (against Zenit). It's all I can do.
"Walter (Smith), his coaching staff and players have had an incredible amount of work to do in that tournament and it has to be admired."
"We have 11 days to wait before our last game but we just get on with it. I'm just happy that the players have put themselves in a position where the last day is important."
Hibs soured a good performances by ending up with nine men.
With only seven minutes remaining and the score at 1-0, defender Martin Canning was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a foul on Barry Robson.
Then, in injury-time, with the points secure for the hosts, Hibs defender Ian Murray was shown a straight red card for a cynical foul on Aiden McGeady.
Visiting manager Mixu Paatelainen admitted it had been a disappointing day all round.
He said: "We passed the ball well and again, like last week (against Rangers), we didn't take our chances.
"I am disappointed to miss out in UEFA Cup, but when I came to Hibs in January, I thought Dundee United and Motherwell were too far ahead so it's a bonus that we managed to challenge them.
"I think we deserve credit for that."
On the dismissal of Canning and Murray, Paatelainen said: "I didn't see Martin Canning's second booking.
"I was about to replace him with Colin Nish and go for it but I was too late.
"But Ian could have done something else to slow him (McGeady) down rather than just taking a swipe at him."