Gordon Strachan Player Quotations

I like to be able to control which players I'm working with. Because it doesn't matter how good a coach you are if the guys you're working with think they already know it all. You need a response, you need to feel they're trying. I want players who are always striving to improve.

Arsene Wenger was talking about comparisons with Johan Cruyff, a player who only comes around every 10 years and Thierry Henry is definitely one of those

It wasn't an easy decision to leave out Bobo, because I could have done that with two or three from the back four. But there's a limit to the players you have and the changes you can make. The reality is we're not defending well enough. But we just have to plug on. There's no magic formula.

All the really good players I know, they all knew right from wrong. So many of them don't learn that at home nowadays.

Believe me, you need good people if you want to make good players.

I want players who are always striving to improve.

Paul Scholes has been the best England midfield player for 30-odd years. You'd probably have to go back to Bobby Charlton to find someone who could do as much as Scholes. When the ball arrives at his feet he could tell you where every player on that pitch is at that moment. His awareness is superb.

I can't comment on players who are involved with their particular clubs in the future, and the same applies to Wayne Bridge.

Only five of my players came up to the standard I would accept,

It's obviously a huge disappointment to lose a player of Chris's quality.

We have to check on what the week has taken out of the international players physically,

It is obviously a huge disappointment to lose a player of Chris's quality. The club has granted Chris his wish to move on and I would like to wish him all the best for the future.

It's never good losing a player like Stan, but hopefully the rest will do him good. I think it's probably fair to say that he hasn't been as dynamic for us over recent games and, if you look at his performances, I think there's a lot there to suggest that his body has been getting tired.

The players gave me exactly what I expected of them, both the guys who have been here doing it for the last five years and the newer ones who stood shoulder to shoulder with them and didn't let them down. The vision I have for Celtic must include the heart and character they showed tonight but we also have to play better and get fitter.

Craig, like Adam, still has loads to work on before he can be called a real player here.

Scotland have a system which is getting better, but it's players who win and lose games. Look at England. They have a system, but if the opposition players jump higher, tackle harder and shoot better, your system is in trouble.

If this were a football match, Portsmouth would be shown the yellow card for time-wasting. To comment now would embarrass the player but there will be a time of my choosing when I will have something to say.

When you make those decisions, it is hard because you know you have to let down people who are playing well. I just wish we had that sort of competition everywhere in the team. Two of our best players form-wise have not been getting a game, but I don't have that dilemma elsewhere. The rest of the team really picks itself.

We went over the goals again with the players this morning,

I don't think there will be too much of a problem getting a work permit. I spoke to the player and he loved it here and we will try to make an arrangement to keep it ongoing.

A lot of us were angry at the interval. Angry at being behind, angry at some refereeing decisions, so I told the players to turn that energy into positive energy in the second half. I think they did that.

A lot of us were angry at the interval, ... Angry at being behind, angry at some refereeing decisions, so I told the players to turn that energy into positive energy in the second half. I think they did that.

He's one of the best young players in Scotland and the price wasn't extortionate. He has ability and he's willing to learn. This signing also brings down the average age of the team.

What you have tomorrow is two teams in a rich vein of form. I won't kid my players - they are playing against a very good Hearts team.