UPDATE 1-Soccer-Strachan quits after Celtic's title failure
LONDON, May 25 (Reuters) - Gordon Strachan quit as manger of Celtic on Monday, the day after the club lost their Scottish Premier League title battle with arch-rivals Rangers.
"It has been an absolute honour and privilege to be the club's manager for the past four years," Strachan said in a statement on the Celtic website (www.celticfc.net).
Strachan joined Celtic from Southampton in 2005 and won three consecutive SPL titles before the team finished as runners-up to Rangers this season.
"We have done all we can to bring success to the club and we were delighted to deliver three SPL titles, other domestic silverware, as well as making some great progress in Europe," Strachan added.
"It is just disappointing that we did not manage the fourth Championship. However, the players can hold their heads high in terms of what they have done for the club in recent years."
Celtic were well-placed to land the title again this season but a 1-0 defeat by Rangers and two 0-0 draws in their last two matches cost them top spot and an automatic place in next season's Champions League group stage.
(Reporting by Neil Maidment/Martyn Herman; editing by Kevin Fylan. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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