FORMER Saints boss Gordon Strachan admits his role as Celtic manager has played havoc with his social life.

The Hoops manasger has barred himself from going into Glasgow to prevent any potentially awkward situations.

Strachan said: ''I don't go into Glasgow as there is no point putting yourself in a position where people want to talk to you about football.

''You never know what can happen from there. It is not worth it.'' He added: ''I have the type of nature that, if someone said something to me in the street, I would answer back.

''It would mean my wife would need to grab me by the scruff of the neck and get me away.

''It is best not to put yourself in that position, but that's life.'' Strachan is enjoying life at the club, where he has guided the team to a 13-point lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League before today's trip to Dunfermline and the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time.

But he concedes life for his wife and himself has changed dramatically.

Strachan, who was in charge at St Mary's from October 2001 to February 2004, said: ''If I go to the movies with Lesley, we will go to the 4pm show.

''Only three or four other sad people are there.

"Even then, that can lead to you laughing at something the other guy may not find funny and there's a problem.''