Big Ron on Strachan

Ex-Sky Blues manager Ron Atkinson has leapt to the defence of the man who succeeded him at Coventry City after Gordon Strachan came under fire from Celtic supporters during their weekend cup semi-final win over St Johnstone.

Despite being on course for a league and cup double, Strachan’s popularity with the Celtic fans has been the subject of much debate in Scotland this week.

Atkinson told the Daily Record: ‘He’d be a safe bet if one of the big jobs came up in England, that is for sure.

‘I can’t understand why he’d get criticised, to be fair.

‘Apart from winning the Champions League what else could he have done?

‘It’s a strange one. Celtic are going to win the SPL title for the second year in a row, he won a cup last season and he’s going to the Scottish Cup Final.

‘Gordon also took the team as far as they have ever gone in the Champions League. I would find it amazing if he was not getting the full support of the fans.’