Scott McDonald Gets It Done

Champions Keep Pace With Rangers

Scott McDonald scored in first-half injury time to give Celtic a 1-0 win at Falkirk on Sunday. The champions went into the game knowing the Ibrox side's win over St Mirren on Saturday had piled the pressure on but apart from the result, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will not have been happy with his side's response. The Bairns had dictated the opening 45 minutes but in the third minute added on for treatment to defender Dean Holden, who was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg following a challenge by Hoops skipper Stephen McManus, Australia international McDonald nodded home a cross by Nakamura.

Gordon Strachan is ready to hand teenager Paul Caddis the seemingly jinxed right-back role against Motherwell. Paul Hartley became the latest player occupying the position to fall victim to an injury when he limped off against Falkirk. Hartley went off with 16 minutes remaining on Sunday, and 19-year-old Caddis came on. Now he is set to start a first-team game for the first time. The long-term injuries sustained by right-backs Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe and Mark Wilson had manager Gordon Strachan using Gary Caldwell in the right-back position until Andreas Hinkel arrived. However, the German international sustained a thigh injury against Kilmarnock last week in only his second game, which led to Hartley starting at right-back against the Bairns.

Ben Hutchinson has spoken of his delight at signing a pre-contract agreement with Celtic. The Bhoys confirmed the deal on Monday, with the 20-year-old set to join the club from Middlesbrough on a three-year contract. Celtic swooped for Hutchinson after 'Boro failed to agree a new deal with the 20-year-old. Hutchinson told the Celtic website: "I'm delighted to sign for Celtic and I'm really looking forward to joining a club of their stature. I know they're a massive club and it will be a tremendous experience to play in front of 60,000 fans. I will be doing all I can to, and working as hard as possible, to bring more success to the club." Manager Gordon Strachan added: "We're very pleased to have signed Ben and will welcome him to the club in the summer. We hope he enjoys his time here and proves to be a great success."

Gordon Strachan is hoping to complete the signing of Dundee United star Barry Robson before the transfer window slams shut on Thursday night. Robson is valued at £1.5m by the Tannadice club but Celtic are ready to tempt their resolve by offering £1m. The player has also been targeted by English pair Burnley and Nottingham Forest, but it is believed he would prefer a move to Celtic Park, where he would be eligible to take on Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League next month. According to a report, all three interested clubs have triggered a £750,000 release clause in the player's contract.

Gordon Strachan has moved to quell growing fears that star goalkeeper Artur Boruc could be on the way out of the club if American netminder Brad Guzan puts pen to paper this week. Guzan, of MLS side Chivas USA, is being chased by both Celtic and Aston Villa before the end of the transfer window on Thursday. But regardless of whether the 23-year-old makes the move to Parkhead, manager Gordon Strachan is adamant that star man Boruc will be staying where he is. He said: "I hadn't thought of that until it came up in conversation. I'm thinking about Brad as an investment for the future. If you can get someone who could be good value for years to come then you do it."

Celtic defender Steven Pressley is wanted - along with Terry Butcher - by Scotland manager George Burley as part of his coaching team. Burley, who was named the new national manager last Thursday, told BBC Sport: "I have spoken to Terry and Steven about helping us. They are both keen, but nothing has been finalised yet." Pressley, who has won 32 caps for Scotland, is 34 and has played little first-team football for Celtic this season after going through a back operation. "Steven Pressley is someone that I've admired since my days at Tynecastle," he said. "I've had a lot of good captains as a manager - Tony Mowbray, Matt Holland and Jim Magilton have all been top class. Elvis for me sticks out and I think he has all the credentials of one day being a top manager, even an international manager. "I talked with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan yesterday and he thinks it would do him the world of good. When you get to your mid-30s you're looking for the coaching side you still want to keep playing. He's desperate to do both. He's quite capable of that."