By Cathal Dervan

CELTIC are running away with the Scottish League already and manager Gordon Strachan has admitted he didn’t see it coming.

The Bhoys are eight points clear of second placed Hearts after just 11 games played and already they’re 10 points clear of Glasgow rivals Rangers.

A Magic Zurawski double helped the Celts to a 2-1 win over Mother-well at Parkhead on Saturday, just days after the impressive Champions League win over Benfica.

Strachan was a happy if surprised man afterwards and said, “I am more than pleased with our points tally at the moment, I think it’s better than last year at this time. So that is an improvement which I did not think we would see at the beginning of the season with new faces coming in and people going.

“It has been a great week for us -- three different types of games and won them all so you can’t ask for any more than that. I would like more shots at goal. But unfortunately after an emotional and physical night against Benfica we came up against a Motherwell side feeling good about themselves.

“It’s still a learning period for us. Lots of guys have never been involved in this, including myself. It’s not like we have got eight or nine guys that have played in the Champions League before.

“We are just doing all right. I don’t think the performances have been sparkling but the results have been good.”

Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson has confirmed that he will consider leaving the club in January if he does not play more games.

“I am at the age where I need to be playing games. I have said that all along and the manager knows that as well,” Pearson said.

Strachan, meanwhile, has vowed to keep defender Bobo Balde amid reports of a £1.5 million offer from Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill.

Robson Fit

BOBBY Robson has spoken of his delight at getting the go ahead of resume duties as Ste-phen Staunton’s mentor with the Irish team after his recent medical problems.

“I have been given the all-clear by the doctors and I am looking forward to getting back to doing the job I was employed to do,” Robson said.

“Although I have been in regular contact with Stephen and John by telephone, I missed being able to link up with the squad and attend the games.

“The FAI, and in particular John Delaney and Stephen Staunton, have been wonderfully supportive in recent weeks and I desperately want to repay them in the coming months by helping Stephen and the squad build on the excellent performance against the Czech Republic and show that the result against Cyprus was a one-off.”

Staunton is delighted to have his mentor back in action and said, “Although I have spoken daily to Bobby it is a great boost to know that he has now been cleared to travel and attend matches.

“It will be great to have him around the squad once again. Myself and the players look forward to linking up with Bobby next month for the B international against Scotland and the Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino.”

Hunt Cleared

READING’S Irish striker Stephen Hunt has been cleared by the English FA of any offense in the recent challenge which left Chelsea keeper Petr Cech in need of surgery on a fractured skull.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho slammed Hunt for his part in the incident but a statement from English football’s governing body read: “The FA can confirm that no formal disciplinary action will be taken in relation to on-field incidents during the Reading-Chelsea match on Saturday, October 14.

“The FA has reviewed the incidents involving Stephen Hunt/PetrCech and Ibrahima Sonko/Carlo Cudicini and has contacted referee Mike Riley, who confirmed that the match officials saw both incidents at the time. There will therefore be no further action.”

Stoke’s Intention

STOKE City have re-affirmed their intention to turn Rory Delap’s loan from Sunderland into a permanent move even though he broke his leg playing for his new club against Roy Keane’s team on his Potteries debut last week.

Sunderland boss Keane said, “We had a gentleman’s agreement with Stoke that Rory would go on loan with a permanent deal in place, and Stoke have been true to their word. Rory will do his rehab work there. He is still on loan there and he will become a full-time Stoke player.”

Soccer Shorts

THE FAI Appeals Board has adjourned Shelbourne’s appeal against their decision to deduct Bohemians three points for fielding an ineligible player in their recent Dublin derby. Shels want the game awarded to them but will have to wait at least another fortnight for a decision . . .

NORTHERN Ireland have bypassed the Republic in the FIFA rankings for the first time since they were introduced in 1993 with the North now in 45th spot and Stephen Staunton’s team back in 49th after their recent run of bad results . . .

NEWCASTLE United manager Glenn Roeder has dismissed speculation that goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit again in time to play for Ireland against San Marino in the European Championship qualifier next month . . .

SUNDERLAND captain Kenny Cunningham is back on the treatment table after injuring his knee during Saturday’s win over Barnsley, his first game back after a fortnight out with a hamstring problem . . .

IRISH boss Stephen Staunton watched from the stands as goals from Anthony Stokes and Andrew Keogh helped Ireland’s under-21s to a 2-0 away win over Luxemburg in a friendly last week . . .

SLIGO Rovers striker Matthew Judge has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury and will miss the FAI Cup semifinal against Derry City . . .

BOHS have agreed a new two year deal with defender Thomas Heary and have opened talks on new contracts with Aidan O’Keeffe and John Paul Kelly . . .

BOLTON Wanderers hope to have young Irish defender Joey O’Brien back in training within a fortnight after summer surgery on a knee injury . . .

BLACKPOOL have stuck a deal with Scottish side Livingston to sign Irish winger Wes Hoolahan on a permanent deal after his recent loan spell . . .

LONGFORD Town midfielder Davy Byrne has been suspended for two games by the eircom League’s Dis-ciplinary Commission . . .

FALKIRK’S Irish international striker Graham Barrett has been forced to undergo a third operation on his injured knee . . .

PREMIERSHIP side Reading are interested in QPR’s Irish international midfielder Martin Rowlands . . .

SUNDERLAND have sent Irish left-back Clive Clarke to Coventry on a one month loan deal . . .

DROGHEDA United want to sign Cork City striker Neale Fenn in the close season . . .

Sports Shorts

KILKENNY’S Gary Murphy slipped to 13th place in the Mallorca Classic on Sunday but still did enough to retain his European Tour card for next season. Paul McGinley finished tied for sixth before he defends his Volvo Masters crown this weekend . . .

IRELAND got their Rugby League World Cup qualification bid off to the perfect start with a 50-12 win away to Russia in Moscow on Saturday when Widnes full-back Gavin Dodd scored a hat-trick of tries . . .

SOUTH Africa will travel to Dublin for their Lansdowne Road test against Ireland next month without injured loose forward Pedrie Wannenburg.