By Clive Lindsay

Strachan quickly saw off the challenge of Le Guen's Rangers

For Celtic, the waiting is over and Gordon Strachan can, for the moment at least, forget the rumbles of discontent among a section of the club's support after clinching back-to-back championships.

A title race at the start of which Rangers and Hearts were tipped to run the reigning champions close, or even trip them up, has at last been put out its misery after what has long been an inevitable procession.

At one stage, such were the implosions suffered down Ibrox and Gorgie way, it looked like Celtic would retain the Scottish title in record time.

But they were getting twitchy in the East End of Glasgow in recent weeks as Celtic suffered a Champions League exit hangover.

Perhaps it was predictable considering the paucity of the challenge that Rangers, their closest challengers, failed to take advantage and slipped up themselves.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Celtic's title triumph

But you can only beat the opposition that is put before you and Celtic have done that with something to spare for much of the season.

Yet the very lack of serious challengers has been part of Strachan's problem this term.

Even after winning the title back from Rangers in his first season in charge, there were elements of the Celtic support that did not take to the former Aberdeen and Manchester United midfielder.

They pointed to the �1.5m purchase of Adam Virgo, subsequently farmed out to Coventry, as an example of a lack of savvy in the transfer market.

Thomas Gravesen (centre) has failed to become a Celtic regular

The expensive hiring of former Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen has provided the snipers with further ammunition, while Derek Riordan has been his misfit pal in the dugout or stand.

Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley have hardly set the green and white heather on fire since being replanted at Parkhead from Hearts and Strachan has confounded many by his persistence with the anonymous Jiri Jarosik.

Brother in law Paul Telfer was often unfairly vilified by the Celtic support despite a series of steady performances at right-back.

But Lee Naylor has been such an astute purchase that surprise has been expressed that the former Wolves man has not made England's troublesome left-back position his own.

Meanwhile, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has been an able replacement for John Hartson.

And, whatever your opinion of the individual cogs, Strachan has built a playing machine that has proven capable of shifting up the necessary gears whenever there appeared to be challenge from any of their SPL rivals.

Late goals, late fightbacks, turning round deficits have become the trademark of Strachan's Celtic.

The real domestic test may be around the summer corner should Rangers, Hearts or even Aberdeen, Dundee United or Hibernian provide a more capable challenge.

Gordon Strachan's Champions League success should please fans

Walter Smith has already steadied the ship at Ibrox after the failed French revolution under Paul Le Guen.

Hearts fans will be hoping their umpteenth new manager, whoever he might be, will be able to use Vladimir Romanov's boasted millions while shackling the owner's megalomania.

Aberdeen could continue their steady progress under Jimmy Calderwood. Similarly, Dundee United under Craig Levein.

Hibs, despite a dressing-room revolt, have managed to win one knockout trophy and are within touching distance of another.

But, if you consider Celtic in European terms, they all face much catching up to do, although Rangers quickly fell from grace following an identical achievement the previous season.

Strachan led Celtic to the Champions League last 16 for the first time, where they held AC Milan to a scoreless draw over two legs until extra-time.