“I thought the football we played in the first half on Saturday was magnificent, and then to come back so strongly from 3-1 down in the final 15 minutes to get a point we thoroughly deserved was excellent,” he said.

“As well as we had done, once we went two goals down, I thought Celtic were in control and we were dead and buried. But, once we got one back, we saw we had a chance and took it — when we equalised I was looking for the boys to go on and get the winner, but the chance just did not come.”

Craig felt the most positive performance of the season was all about belief, and he is now looking for that to be the basis of improved results on a consistent basis.

“It was down to belief. The boys were big and had confidence in their ability and have shown that, when they do that, they have a chance against anybody.”

Good displays against Aberdeen and now Celtic since he took charge of team affairs has not prevented the player/boss trying to add to his squad before the transfer window closes tomorrow night. So far, though, his inquiries have been met with not-for-sale replies and it now looks likely fans will have to wait until the close season for his first signings.

“I would have liked to have added one player to the squad, but, as of this minute, I would say it is very unlikely that I will be able to do that,” he added.

The Scottish Cup means there is no game for the Tangerines this weekend. But when SPL hostilities resume with the visit of Hearts tomorrow week, Craig will have Charlie Mulgrew available after he missed out on Saturday because of the terms of his loan from Celtic.

It’s not certain Paul Ritchie will be back after missing the last two games because of a dead leg.

Tomorrow afternoon, the reserves face Aberdeen at Forfar’s Station Park.

The surgery went well and boss Alan Kernaghan has been told the goalie’s absence can now be measured in weeks rather than months.

“It was nothing too major and, because Soapy was well down the road with his rehab following the first operation, I think we should be talking only a couple of weeks before he is training again,” commented Kernaghan.

Stand-in goalie Scott Murray was also hurting today after seeing his bid to make it six shut-outs in a row, just one off the club record, ended by ex-Dundee United man Paul Walker’s 27th-minute effort for Stranraer.

“The whole defence, not just Scott, were disappointed about the goal and what made it worse was that it was pretty much self-inflicted rather than being down to something special from the opposition,” added Alan.

“Like I said on Friday, though, I am far happier talking about another win, even if we did lose a goal, than I would have been if had finished goalless.”

Attention now at Dens is focused on the Scottish Cup and Saturday’s trip to bogy team Airdrie United.

Three times this term, the Diamonds have triumphed when the two have met in the league, with the Dark Blues’ only success being a penalty shoot-out win in the Bell’s Cup.

Bobby Mann is an early injury doubt for the New Broomfield visit after he hurt is neck on Saturday.

Meanwhile, it looks unlikely there will be any more transfer movement at Dens before the window closes at midnight tomorrow — in either direction.

“There is always a chance something will happen, but there is nothing in the pipeline with players coming or going so I don’t think anything will,” said Alan.

But Ross County’s John Rankin isn’t Perth-bound. Saints were keen on him but County’s asking price is too high.

The Perth Saints have already brought in keeper Matt Glennon from Falkirk and midfield man Jamie Winter on loan from Aberdeen.