Strachan not for yielding as Celtic fringe men speak out

ON the subject of Massimo Donati's future, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan appeared to take a veiled swipe at the Italian by highlighting the return of Simon Ferry. The luckless midfielder has missed almost three years with various injuries but impressed enough in training to be pitched in to the squad for today's visit of St Mirren.

"Massimo has the same chance as everyone here," said Strachan, responding to comments from Donati that he was not rated by his manager.

"I can only pick so many people but as long as you are signed by the club then you have a chance.

"Young Simon Ferry, who has been out for nearly three years, trained with us on Thursday and was truly magnificent and so he will be in the squad.

"If you asked Simon last week where he thought his future was, he wasn't going too far but this week he has trained with the first team, he has been absolutely sensational and, because of that, we are rewarding him.

"So we are open to any good players."

Celtic go in to this afternoon's game with only three wins in their past ten SPL matches and in the midst of relative scoring drought, which has led to them surrendering a seven-point lead over their Ibrox rivals.

Strachan, though, offered little succour to his fringe players after another, Ben Hutchinson, called for a chance to show his talent at first-team level.

Hutchison has made only two substitute appearances this term but has enjoyed a fruitful spell in the reserves recently, scoring his 14th goal of the season in the win over Hearts' second string in midweek.

On Hutchinson, Strachan was quite succinct, saying: "There are people in front of him at the moment.

"He is scoring goals for the reserves but I was at the reserve game the other day and there were people who made their mark without scoring goals, players who made chances for Ben and they have to be taken in to consideration as well."

Meanwhile, St Mirren talisman Andy Dorman is looking to make a mark on his Celtic Park debut after hitting four goals in as many games.

The attacking midfielder has recently rediscovered the form that made him an instant hero when he signed from New England Revolution in January last year.

St Mirren have only lost twice in 13 games and travel to Parkhead with genuine belief after the champions needed a soft penalty to beat them there on the opening day of the season.

"I've not played there yet so I'm really looking forward to the game," Dorman said.

"I've played at Ibrox a couple of times and it's been brilliant. Obviously the results haven't gone in our favour but you enjoy the day out.

"It's another nice pitch. Our new pitch is playing well and it gives us no excuses not to play well, and it will be the same on Saturday."