Beattie, who is still recovering from a serious ankle injury sustained last season, was dropped by Southampton for the goal-less draw against Charlton after a run of poor form.

And boss Strachan's decision came after Beattie had been sentenced to 100 hours community service and banned from the road for 30 months on a drink-driving charge.

Strachan said: "If people don't look after themselves properly off the field it brings negative thoughts and reactions.

"You cannot do what people did in the Seventies. As a footballer you have to be a true athlete nowadays.

" You have to eat the right things, get the right rest and do what's right for yourself.

"James is tense. You could still see that when he came on as substitute against Charlton, but he has not got a big problem.

"He's made a mistake and has a cross to bear but he'll be ok."

He added: "I still have regular chats with everybody about lifestyle.

"It can take its toll,but what we need to do is put past events away and forget about them once we've dealt with them.

"There's enough pressure without bringing extra on yourself by dwelling on what's gone before."

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley was grateful for a point.

He said: "After two consecutive defeats we needed to put something on the board.

"Our start to the season has been just as tough as I thought it would be and we've got Manchester United at home next, but we've done well away.

"We've picked up all our seven points on our travels and we defended well against Southampton's crosses and pressure.

"Our aim was to break quickly on them once we'd tidied things up but it never really happened for us."

Watch a round-up of the weekend's action