Strachan was delighted to keep a rare clean-sheet at Tannadice

"We didn't make any mistakes. It makes a big difference - we can all relax," he told BBC Sport after the 2-0 win.

Bobo Balde returned to the side after a year's absence and Strachan described the defender's display as "terrific".

"I'm pleased with all the performances but I'm sure Bobo will get all the headlines and quite rightly because he's been out of the game for while."

Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Strachan handed Balde his first start in exactly a year and the Guinea international turned in a commanding performance.

"Sometimes you have to do something and in the past I had to leave out Steve Ogrizovic, who was one of our best players and probably the best loved Coventry City player ever," added the manager.

"I just felt it was right and because of that we brought in Magnus Hedman who had a terrific time and helped to keep us in the Premiership.

"So you have to make decisions now and again, and I have no problem with that.

"I felt this game needed a change in the back four and you could say Steven Pressley was a little bit unlucky (to miss out).

"But as I explained to him, sometimes managers have to make decisions like that and when you are a manager yourself, you will probably understand it."