Strachan won’t offer an excuse for Celts failure
hope of catching Gers. They now face a tricky trip away to Livi in midweek.
Strachan said: “Obviously, the situation isn’t ideal right now but we had more than enough to display a better performance than we did against Livingston.
“Are players feeling sorry for themselves? I don’t know – but they shouldn’t be.
“There was a lack of match fitness about certain players and they were probably not as sharp as we would want them.
“But the big frustration for me is that we didn’t impose our style of play on the game.
“This Covid situation gave people a chance to stake a claim, to have an opportunity.
“But you have to look at who stood out. There were a couple of decent performances but probably no standout ones.”
When asked about the title race, a dejected Strachan said: “It’s now very difficult.
“In a normal football season, I’d say to you that it’s going to be very tough. But I suppose the way the world is right now, you just never know.”
Despite missing key players, Celtic still started with firstteam regulars Shane Duffy, Jeremie Frimpong, Nir Bitton, Diego Laxalt, David Turnbull, Callum McGregor, Ismaila Soro and Tom Rogic. But they
recorded just one shot on target following up a midweek draw at home to Hibs with another two dropped points.
David Martindale’s in-form Livi side looked the more likely to win towards the end.
Strachan said: “It was a tough game like we knew it would be. In the first half they imposed their way of playing on us.
“We weren’t happy with that at half-time. In the second half we got more control but it was ragged again towards the end.
“We allowed Livi to play too much on the front foot. We weren’t enough of a threat and the moments we did get in their half were few and far between.”
Celtic should have most of their self-isolating stars – as well as Lennon and assistant John Kennedy – available for the trip to West Lothian on Wednesday night.
Meanwhi le, Martindale admits it was strange to be the attacking team against Celtic at Parkhead.
And he’s promised the Hoops another all-out assault in West Lothian on Wednesday.
He said: “I’ve never had the feeling of leaving Parkhead disappointed we didn’t win – so it’s probably a bit strange.
“We’ve got a draw here before but this was a fantastic chance to get three points.
“I need to watch what I’m saying because Lenny will use my words in his team talk for Wednesday night!
“But on the balance of play and opportunities created, we were unlucky.
“We could play higher up the pitch due to Celtic’s personnel issues – it allowed us to do it.
“Normally you sit in your own half, try to stop them then hit on the counter. But this time were more on the front foot.
“I looked at the clock after 40 minutes and realised Celtic hadn’t really been in our half.
“So it was a wee bit strange. Hopefully we can make it even more difficult for them on Wednesday. We’ve always done well against Celtic at home.”