Goals by Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras gave the SPL champions a 3-0 win over Gretna at Almondvale on Sunday which took Celtic to within three points of leaders Rangers ahead of the trip to Ibrox next week, a crunch game that had led to increased tensions between the two clubs over the weekend.

Walter Smith's side are facing a pile-up of games due to their continued involvement in the UEFA Cup, a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Partick Thistle and two outstanding SPL matches to be rearranged over and above the Old Firm game at Parkhead - postponed at New Year - which was pencilled in for April 16.

Hoops chief executive Lawwell turned the pressure on the SPL on Friday by suggesting that an extension to the season would "threaten the integrity" of the competition.

Asked his view on why Lawwell came out with his statement, Rangers chief executive Bain said: "It's probably more to do with the fact that there is a points difference at the moment."

Asked if he would respond to Bain's comments, Strachan said: "I wouldn't" but he carried on to give his own thoughts on the subject.

The former Aberdeen player pointed to the 1982-83 season when the Dons won the European Cup Winners Cup and the Scottish Cup, as evidence that a spate of games in quick succession need not affect any potential success.

He said: "In 1983 at Aberdeen, Willie Miller and Alex McLeish played about 73 games and I don't think we extended the league.

"We got a good season out of it so we would advocate just getting on with it."

McDonald's first goal in six games inspired Celtic to victory but he was substituted by Samaras after 65 minutes and pulled out of a trip to China to play for Australia in a World Cup qualifier which should give him time to recover for the trip to Ibrox.

Strachan said: "We had to take him off because he picked up a calf strain and when you have something like that it doesn't help you to be on a plane for that length of time.

"He has made a phone call and will not be going."

Strachan was pleased that all three strikers scored and insists that they are in with a chance of starting against Rangers next week.

"All three strikers have earned the right to play at Ibrox and Samaras could start," he said.

"Scott McDonald has played in big games and scored against teams like AC Milan.

"Jan has made and scored goals wherever he has been and Georgios has been smashing. "He did well for us today. He is a threat and he has a lot in his armoury.

"If I could find a formation to play all three of them, that would be lovely but I would need to leave out Aiden (McGeady) and play without a winger.

"So you have to get your best players in to a formation that is going to win."

Gretna, who went in to administration just under a fortnight ago, belied their problems with a gutsy display.

Caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth praised the SPL for giving them a cash advance on Friday to allow them to see the season out but slammed the decision not to have a pay-gate in operation which reduced the crowd to 3,561.

He said: "I don't know if I'm just a silly old sod but where is the common sense?

"If there is a pay-gate on the day, what are they expecting, the Khmer Rouge with Kalashnikovs or football supporters?

"If it was only another £10 or £50, that is very important for us.

"When common sense comes to the fore it will be a great day for us all."

Wadsworth, who expects Chris Innes to return next week after the skipper failed to find another club, admitted that he was "very disappointed " that two French players Aurelien Collin and Mickael Buscher are exercising their right to leave.

Physio Kenny Crichton has left to join Falkirk and injured Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Yantorno also wants away after it emerged that the Borders club could not afford treatment.