Bhoys Beat The 'Well To Keep Pressure On The 'Gers

Rangers Draw Keeps Celtic In With A Shot To Finish Top

By Tony Quinn

Celtic kept up the pressure on Rangers at the top of the SPL after coming from behind to beat Motherwell 2-1 at Fir Park on Saturday. Rangers then were held to a 0-0 draw on Sunday at Hibs which leaves the Hoops 7 points clear at the top of the league. Scott McDonald took less than two minutes to cancel out Chris Porter's opener on the hour before Georgios Samaras came off the bench to head the winner in the 79th minute.

Gordon Strachan, has taken criticism this season after making unpopular substitutions but this time his subbing was right on the money. "I'm lucky that I have some decent players to make those substitutions," Strachan said, "but as well as quality you also need desire and we had that." Former Celtic striker John Hartson praised the battling qualities displayed by Celtic after their hard-fought victory over Motherwell. "It doesn't matter at all it's three points," Hartson told Setanta Sports. "You know they had a job to do, it was gritty, it was battling and wasn't pretty at times... "It was just a performance where they dug in."

Gary Caldwell wants the Bhoys to retain on-loan striker Georgios Samaras. The on-loan Man City man has bagged five SPL goals in 14 league appearances, including last Saturday's crucial winner at Motherwell. City are believed to want around £3million for the Greek striker and Caldwell believes it will be money well spent if they are able to retain the 23-year-old permanently. "Georgios has been great," Caldwell said. "His goals have been all important, they have helped us. It's the manager's decision but we'd love him to stay here as it is great for the squad to have competition for place up front."

The SPL have withstood enormous public and private pressure from Rangers, the SFA and the media to confirm that the league season will not be extended for a second time, beyond Thursday 22 May. SPL chairman, Lex Gold said, "It is a matter of public record that yesterday (Monday) we were unable to agree a request from Rangers FC to extend the season still further beyond Thursday, 22 May. This decision was made on the basis that there had been no material change in circumstances since we published the revised Model 2 fixture list on 22 April... The season will end on Thursday, 22 May."

Media reports indicate Shunsuke Nakamura will be staying at Celtic for another season. The 29-year-old Japanese international had the option of another year written into his contract and Celtic have triggered it - extending his stay in the east-end of Glasgow. "You can never really know what the future holds for you in football from year to year, so I was delighted when Celtic said they wanted me again,"

Nakamura said. "I enjoy life in Scotland and life at Celtic under Gordon Strachan. I made a choice to come here three years ago and it proved to be the right one." He continued. "Yes in the future I will go back to Japan and I want to go to Yokohama Marinos because I have a strong affinity with that club. I started my career there and I want the chance to thank them for all they have done for me in football by going back to play here."

Gordon Strachan insists the turn-out for the club's Training Day on Monday last displayed the enormous appeal of the club. Around 15,000 Hoops' fans turned up at Celtic Park to watch the SPL leaders being put through their paces. Speaking after the training session, Strachan told said: "I think as players and coaches you sometimes take the size of the club for granted, then you get days like this and think, 'woah.' Most clubs in Britain would love a crowd like this on a matchday and we get it for a training session. It's fantastic. It's always nice to be appreciated and we certainly got that, but these days are really for the fans to come and enjoy."

Celtic are to play Gordon Strachan's former club Southampton this summer in a testimonial for Claus Lundekvam. The Norwegian international played more than 400 matches for the St Mary's outfit after signing in 1996 but was forced to announce his retirement in March following a serious ankle injury. Strachan, who spent two-and-a-half years at Southampton, will take his team south for the benefit match on Friday, 18 July. The game was due to be played last year but was cancelled due to Saints being in the play-offs

Everton boss Dave Moyes is showing the door to three of his squad. Celtic's Thomas Gravesen, Andy van der Meyde and on-loan Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner are heading for the Goodison exit door.

Celtic are said to be chasing Portsmouth fullback Noe Pamarot and are willing to pay £2million for his serrvices. Gordon Strachan has moved in as the 28-year-old has just a year left on his contract after signing from Tottenham two seasons ago.