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Page last updated at 17:11 GMT, Sunday, 24 May 2009 18:11 UK

We weren't good enough - Strachan

Gordon Strachan looks frustrated in the dugout
Strachan was left to ponder what might have been at Celtic Park

Gordon Strachan avoided speculation about his future as he admitted that Celtic had not been good enough to win four Scottish title in a row.

"We already know where we think we went wrong," the manager said after a 0-0 draw at home to Hearts was not enough to prevent Rangers winning the league.

"But it's not the time to talk about this, because all hell breaks loose in the media.

"Congratulations to Rangers. We weren't up to winning four-in-a-row."

Celtic had gone into the final day hoping that they could defeat Hearts and that Rangers would drop points away to Dundee United.

But Rangers' 3-0 win left events at Celtic Park flat and meaningless as Strachan's side fell short of their fourth championship in a row.

"It wasn't good enough; the game was dead after the score at Tannadice filtered through," he said.

Congratulations to Rangers' players, because they have gone to difficult places and won at the end of the season

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

"It is disappointing, but we have only ourselves to blame.

"What has happened this year is that we finished four points behind, and our points total was not good enough to win the league.

"I would like to thank the players, the directors and the fans for the effort they made this year.

"But it was not good enough (on the park) and we have to sit down and analyse that.

"It doesn't take a genius to see that in some areas we weren't as good as we have been in the last three years."

Strachan gave no indication that he might be thinking of leaving.

"We have won quite a few things in recent years and we've got to regroup," he said before praising the new champions.

"Congratulations to Walter Smith and his coaching staff. We know how difficult it is to win a title.

"And congratulations to their players, because they have gone to difficult places and won at the end of the season.

"I'm sure we will give them a run for their money next year."



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see also
Smith excited by European return
24 May 09 |  Rangers
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
24 May 09 |  Scottish Premier
Dundee United 0-3 Rangers
24 May 09 |  Scottish Premier
SPL photo gallery
24 May 09 |  Scottish Premier


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