Boss Backs Anders

Gordon Strachan has given Anders Svensson his full backing to further dispel rumours of a rift.

The midfielder was concerned to hear previous unfounded reports were about to be re-hashed in a magazine article.

He has already insisted he has no problem with the manager and now Strachan himself has stressed there are no problems between them.

He said: "I get on as well with Anders as with anyone in the team and he is incredibly embarrassed by all this.

"One or two journalists in Sweden seem to be trying to manipulate him. but if they are trying to cause a sensation then they are getting the wrong reaction.

"It has just upset him. He did not sleep the other night knowing that this nonsense was about to come out again.

"He tried to get it stopped but could not and now he feels totally embarrassed because he owes this club a lot.

"He feels he has let people down but we know it is not what he meant.

"We have all had a laugh about it but this journalist keeps persevering with it. Anders just wants to get on with it.

"It is all in the past now and any articles about it now will not be fresh and are just putting unnecessary pressure on him and his family."