Strachan saw his side struggle to create chances in front of goal

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is backing his side to improve after a drab Old Firm stalemate.

"At the moment we're not at our best, so we've just got to plug along until we get back there," he told BBC Scotland after the 0-0 with Rangers.

"But we've got good players and they will come again.

"To put it simply, last week we were two points ahead of Rangers with 14 games to go; this week we are two points ahead with 13 games to go."

Celtic enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half and striker Scott McDonald wasted a wonderful early chance, when he headed wide from just a few yards out.

"Up front, we're not functioning, as a group - because there are five strikers at the club," added Strachan. "That group has to come to the fore now and score us goals.

"All you can do is keep working at it and there's a bit of magic that needs to come along, or a bit of luck to get these guys scoring again.

"It's not for the lack of effort, that's for sure."

Rangers were on top after the break and Artur Boruc, who has been suffering from a lack of form and attracting negative headlines, had to make two good saves to thwart the visitors.

"It was good to see him back to where he was a wee while ago, where he's actually saving games for us," Strachan said, when asked about the Pole's performance. "I enjoyed that.

"But there weren't enough players on the pitch playing to the best of their talent, on both sides.

"(Rangers manager) Walter (Smith) probably had two or three good performances and we were the same.

"First half, we played the way we wanted to play, without the finish. The second half, we played too much back-to-front, which suited Rangers and they picked up the second ball and attacked us from that.

"With the way we played, I think a draw is a fair result for us."

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