Less than 48 hours after the Ibrox fracas that will confine Walter Smith to a birds-eye view for the first instalment of the Old Firm triple bill, Gordon Strachan aired his grievance at the inflexible process of disciplinary action.

As the pressure intensifies towards the season's climactic scenes, the Celtic manager revisited the arbitrary penalties he too has suffered, yet negotiated with a balletic poise. Strachan has long lamented the cumulative-sanction system that, prior to a series of successful appeals on his behalf, would have resulted in the manager serving a total of 10 games in the straitjacket of a directors' box seat.

His argumentative dug- out tendencies have already resulted in touchline banishment from Stuart Dougal and Charlie Richmond, not forgetting an earlier altercation with the former Hearts caretaker manager, John McGlynn, that initiated the Scottish FA's contentious mechanism.

Smith's public short-circuit arose after Nacho Novo's sending off for violent conduct; an ill-considered two-footed lunge towards Thierry Gathuessi. Smith did not dispute the dismissal by the match official, Craig Thomson, but the Ibrox manager was more angered by what he regarded as persistent agitation from the Hibernian dug-out throughout the 1-0 Scottish Cup fifth-round win.

As the Old Firm prepare to collide in a potentially defining series of derby matches, commencing on March 29, Strachan promoted the idea of altering the disciplinary procedures to ensure punishment that reflects the various dug-out felonies.

"I lost my temper once with John McGlynn, but that can happen," he said. "I could have had a 10-game ban but instead I got two. I think it a disciplinary review is worthwhile thinking about but I am not blasting or slamming anybody. You sometimes go along for a minor infringement and get six games. I prefered the method in England; which was each case got judged on its merits."

Strachan, having previously endured the less rewarding strain of a failed battle against relegation with Coventry City, can empathise with Smith's recent venting of pent-up frustration. "We are all human, as long as you put up your hands when you are wrong there shouldn't be a problem," he said. "Relegation is more stressful, though, believe me."

A profitable exchange between Georgios Samaras and Jan Venengoor of Hesselink kept Celtic in the Scottish Cup with 30 seconds to spare against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. The Greek's assist in the 1-1 draw on Sunday has enhanced his prospects of a start in the near future and endeared him further to a curious Celtic support.

A £3m buy-out clause might seem good value for money for a player who cost Manchester City twice that from Heerenveen, but Strachan is more concerned with smoothing the striker's rough edges during the length of his loan arrangement.

Young, agile and receptive, Samaras' raw materials are manna from heaven for the forensic training-ground coach.

"Georgios has helped us," he said, "but it works both ways: it is great for him to have a look at us and us to have a look at him. He has started a couple of games for us and scored and made an impact when coming off the bench. It helps us to have players of that standard available. People see the size of him and forget he is only 22. He is very young but already I can see the natural ability is fantastic. He just needs to be pushed in the right direction.

"If you are called a striker, you need to score goals. If you call yourself a striker and you don't score goals, you have a problem."

For all his on-field swagger and a keen sense of fashion from his Prada beanie-hat to his luminous Vapor IV boots, Strachan depicts Samaras as a respectful young man eager to overcome his tribulations at the City of Manchester Stadium. "He is quite quiet about the place and has a good manner with people," he said. "He is confident in the public eye but that can be different to how he is in private. I just like anybody who wants to learn."

Tonight, Celtic face a Dundee United side with an abundance of motivation. As well as their pursuit of third place and UEFA Cup football, the visit to Celtic Park also provides a high-calibre tune-up for the CIS Insurance Cup final against Rangers on Sunday.

"They will not want to step below the mark before a cup final and the other issue is they have third place to aim for," said Strachan. "All this can help motivate a team; it may have been different if they were eighth in the league but they have a lot going for them at the moment."