Sir Alex sets sights on victory in Glasgow
Reuters - Wednesday 22 October 2008, 10:46
MANCHESTER - Celtic manager
Gordon Strachan described Manchester United as the best team in
Europe following their 3-0 defeat on Tuesday and the Scottish
champions can expect little respite when the teams meet again
next month.
United's emphatic victory over Celtic at Old Trafford kept
them ahead of Villarreal on goal difference at the top of Group
E and that is where manager Alex Ferguson is determined to stay
to earn a potentially favourable draw in the last 16.
"We would like to be top of the group if we can. That's
what the aim is now," Ferguson told reporters.
"We've got to go to Villarreal in the second last game and
if we win at Celtic Park, it gives us that opportunity to try
to top the group. We've got to think a result there gets us
through."
A United win in Glasgow on Nov. 5 would virtually guarantee
the European champions a place in the knock-out phase while
probably ending Celtic's slim hopes of qualification and leave
them scrapping for a UEFA Cup place.
In stark contrast to their miserable away form, Celtic's
home record is impressive with 13 wins and just one defeat from
their last 16 group games in the Champions League.
However, United will also have the incentive of trying to
avenge a shock 1-0 defeat at Celtic two years ago and if they
complete their group fixtures unbeaten, it will equal the
tournament record of 19 successive matches without defeat.
Ferguson added: "Knowing Celtic's record there it will be a
difficult game. It will be nothing like Tuesday night.
"The Celtic crowd will be right up for it to make it a
difficult game.
"But our experience from two years ago is simply this. We
have to remember scoring goals is part of the game and not to
over-enjoy the possession you get in the game.
"It may be different two years on. Celtic might set up with
a different system but we have to make sure we come away with
the right result for ourselves.
"We will be trying to win and putting out our strongest
team."
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