A lot has been made of Strachan's tinkering of his formation during the close season, which would indicate that the manager is trying new things out in order to try and find the one thing that has eluded him and the previous incumbent of the Parkhead hot seat - a formation and system that will prevail away in Europe.
Now before one gets carried away it is important to remember that this was only a preseason game, and that this victory is no more or less important than a 3-1 defeat as these games usually offer very little in the way of indicators of how a team may perform come the start of the season. However the signs were there that Strachan may have the system to compete away from home on the European stage and also the personnel at his disposal to achieve it.
The manager also showed that it is possible to play good, attractive football within a 4-5-1 formation, which is advantageous as it offers a robust frame from which attacking moves can be borne, without leaving ourselves too over exposed at the back. Strachan opted for JVH in the lone striker role and the big Dutchman did not disappoint, scoring two goals and being involved in everything positive that Celtic had to offer.
Aiden McGeady also gave a display that showed that he is ready to take his stellar performances from last season and build on them to take his game to new heights. McGeady was shifted to his more natural position, the right hand side of midfield with Georgios Samaras an unlikely left wing choice. McGeady produced a moment of brilliance as he danced past 3 Feyenoord defenders, played a one-two with Naylor before crossing brilliantly for Big Jan to make it 2-0 after Samaras had put the Champions a goal up.
McGeady again linked up with Vennegoor to make it 3. Just before half-time the on-fire Celtic winger cut inside from the right and pinged a sublime left foot pass into Big Jan who finished it off with a great strike into the bottom corner and the game was over as a contest.
Feyenoord managed a consolation strike in the second half but it was to be Celtic's night.
Yours in Celtic.
Clydebuilt.