A chance for big Bhoys to stand up and be counted. . . and it worked

The latest example of this approach was delivered at the weekend when Celtic fielded a side which ostensibly was selected more than FIVE MONTHS in advance.

Twenty-four games in, Strachan still carries the scars of the only defeat suffered by the champions in this season's league campaign.

That came at Tynecastle on the second day - and it has gnawed away at Strachan's core ever since.

So, despite the performances of Derek Riordan and Aiden McGeady in recent weeks, the young flair players were destined to be cooling their talented heels on the bench against Hearts on Sunday.

Strachan knows his selection may have raised more than a few eyebrows, with a midfield of Shunsuke Nakamura, Evander Sno, Thomas Gravesen and Jiri Jarosik wide left.

But he explained: "When Derek and especially Aiden have been asked to do something this season, they have done it for us. The reason they were on the bench on Sunday is simple. After last time at Tynecastle in August, we sat down as coaches and said, We can't go there with a physically light side'.

"So we made sure we went this time with some heavy armoury - and it worked. That was no disrespect to the way these lads have been playing, but we had made up our mind in August we'd field a physical side.

"That said, they were going to have to be able to play football. There is no point in putting out 11 hammer throwers.

"You don't want to go that way either, because there is no point winning the ball if you can't do something with it when you do get back in possession.

"But you certainly have to be able to stand up to the style of Hearts."

Strachan was astute enough to determine that, despite not always appearing to relish a battle, Jiri Jarosik had enough about him to merit inclusion against Hearts.

WHEN the big Czech popped up with the winning goal - a superb individual effort which saw him make a powerful run, shrugging off a couple of challenges en route - the delight on the face of the manager lit up the blustery afternoon.

"We needed Jiri on Sunday which is why he did not play against Dumbarton," explained Strachan. "We wanted to keep him to face Hearts, where his height and running would be important, as it proved.

"Evander Sno was another we wanted for this game, which is why he started against Dumbarton to get him back into the swing of it after he had been out for a few matches."

It was another important lesson in Sno's education. The teenager is now adding a bit of nous to his power and this can only benefit Celtic in the long run.

Having a physical presence at the heart of the side is vital, as teams who recognise they can't outplay Celtic are resorting to trying to overpower them.

Strachan is up for this challenge and believes his players are, too. "I don't have a problem with that," he said.

"That's Hearts' style anyway, and it is a bit similar to the style Leeds had when I was there in the late 1980s, early '90s.

"The ball went up to good strikers, then we got up the park and actually played good stuff. So I don't have a problem with Hearts doing that because I played it myself and I respect that.

"We have got a little bit of a different style at Celtic. But the fact remains that we can't play unless we have got the ball.

"So we had to have people who can win it with tackles or headers."

Which they did, executing a plan which was as carefully crafted as any during Strachan's time in charge.

He knows that another major hurdle standing between his team and retaining their crown has been safely negotiated.

And the high this provided for his team has been matched only by the sickening thud it delivered to the chasing pack.

That's of no concern to Strachan, so focused is he on getting his team over the winning line.

For the second season running, that now looks odds on to happen before the split.

Strachan said: "Psychologically, all I'm thinking about is what these kind of victories are doing for us, not what they might be doing to others."