Now Strachan's looking for an Old Trafford threat

Last updated : 18 October 2008 By Mikbhoy

Second half goals from Scott Brown and Glen Loovens secured the points for the bhoys fulfilling manager Gordon Strachan first priority of winning the game but the team couldn't achieve his stated second priority of winning with style. "I thought Artur Boruc had a great save in the first half but the first half was poor and there was nothing much in the game." he said "The second half was an improvement - it improved to average."

"The conditions today, with the wind and what have you, didn't make it easy to play football but we dealt with it we're pleased we got the win because we knew it was going to be very hard. It wasn't an easy game, it wasn't easy for the referee or to play in or to watch."

The conditions forced Strachan to make tactical adjustments as the game wore on "We were hoping that our football, with the system we were playing with three up front one through the middle and two wide that we could pass our way through but with that wind the conditions weren't right today for the passing game. We had to play closer together, play with some scraps now and again and that's what we decided to do because we were short of three physical strikers."

The Celtic manager had said prior to the game that Scott Brown's lack of goals from midfield was not a worry for him but he would have been pleased to see the midfield dynamo get his name on the scoresheet today whilst delivering another man-of-the-match performance, "He did very well" said Strachan "he really didn't have that many opportunities to run off the ball and link up with the strikers because we never got much joy out of the strikers."

Having lost Georgis Samaras to injury there was a distinct lack of height in the Celtic side which was why the manager drafted Glenn Loovens in at right back "When you come here you have to pick a team with a decent aerial threat and they have to be decent aerially when you are defending and that's why we played Loovens. The two full backs, Wilson and Hinkel, can be feel a wee bit sorry for themselves today but I just picked the team in order to have a certain amount of height in it as well."

Marc Crosas was carried off late in the second half with a suspected hamstring injury and the boss doesn't have his problems to seek as he heads for Old Trafford for Tuesday's Champions League match. "The result is alright as we head for Manchester but we've got a lot of things to look at. Gary Caldwell needed a few stitches in his foot and there's definitely a few knocks about the place. We've now got to find a team that can keep the ball and be a threat at Old Trafford."

Scott Brown first SPL goal since December and a typically gritty performance

earned him the 'Man of the Match' champagne and a kiss from team-mate

Glenn Loovens. "I'm delighted. It wasn't the best finish in the world but I'll take anything." said Brown "The performance wasn't great but it's a hard place to come and everyone's battled all the way and we managed to get the win, and that's the most important thing."

Loovens stepped into the right back slot happily "I'm a centre-back but the

gaffer came to me and asked if I could help them out today. I said, 'of course'. It's not a problem for me - I'll play anywhere. It was a tough game, as you could see. But we battled well and got the result in the end."

The Dutchman is hoping his willingness to adapt and his winning goal today

will put him firmly in the managers thoughts for Tuesday "Every player wants

to play but that's a decision the manager has to make so I'll leave that up to

him. It's a different game so I'm sure all the boys are well up for that."