FACING holders Manchester United at Old Trafford is a tall enough order. To be forced to do so without a clutch of your biggest players - physically and metaphorically - takes it to new heights.

However, as Celtic manager Gordon Strachan today assessed the injury nightmare which is the prelude to their visit to the Theatre of Dreams, he refused to accept this is a mountain which has taken on the proportion of Everest.

He knows that any blink by him would be spotted by his players, and that keeping a cool head is essential if the fear factor is not to destroy any hope they might have.

With just one point on the board from their opening two Group E games, he simply can't afford to write this match off before a ball is kicked.

At the same time, Strachan can't pretend the loss of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras, their potential back-up Chris Killen, midfield rising star Marc Crosas and possibly Andreas Hinkel plus the best player at the club for the past six months, Gary Caldwell, won't be anything other than a major blow.

There is not even any solace to be taken from the theory that, in adversity, strength can emerge.

Strachan has never had any worries about the character of his players, their willingness to support one another and their spirit as a unit.

"I don't have a problem with that side of it," he confirmed. "It's just ability. I need to get a side out there tomorrow with decent ability."

At least the depleted squad which boarded the coach for the trip south this morning did so without the hangover of failing to win at Inverness on Saturday when the bad news about Samaras' cartilage operation was only the forerunner of a catalogue of injuries.

The steel and character on which he will so heavily rely at Old Trafford was there for all to see in the 2-1 victory at a windswept Tulloch Stadium.

Strachan was delighted his men were distracted neither by the team-mates falling all around them or the prospect of the biggest game of the season tomorrow night.

It might not have been pretty, but the three points were safely brought south to extend their lead at the top of the SPL and maintain the momentum built on recent weeks.

The performance had some critics wondering aloud how they could hope to compete with United when they struggled to see off Caley Thistle.

Martin Ferguson, brother of Red Devils boss Sir Alex, was in attendance, and perhaps relayed the same question to Old Trafford.

But, with no little passion, Strachan responded: "Can anyone tell me when they've seen a good game there?

"I don't know what it is, but I've seen Celtic play well at every other ground - bar Inverness.

"Now that's down to what Inverness do to a large extent. But there are other factors."

That's for another day. Today, the focus is fully on what will happen tomorrow, and Strachan knows the strong wind which blew at Inverness will be nothing compared to the whirlwind which will hit them from the kick-off in this Champions League tie.

He does not think United will set out specifically to try and unsettle his patched-up side, explaining: "That's just the way they play anyway, coming at you from the start.

"We will be trying to keep the ball. That's the best secret in football."

One to which Thomas Gravesen, in particular, was not privy to the last time the sides met at Old Trafford. His tardiness in the centre of the park cost them possession, and any chance of a result.

But, it was not all bad memories, as Celtic did score twice that night, including the opener from Vennegoor.

Strachan hopes lessons have been learned from that five-goal roller-coaster ride. He said: "To be fair, United got a penalty which was not a penalty. So that gave us a problem.

"But we gave the ball away in the middle of the park, and that let them get at us.

"You are going to get that at times if you're trying to build through the midfield.

"So, what do we do? Hit it long all the time? We can't because we have small guys up there now.

"Do you put the ball in behind their defenders? They are flying machines at the back.

"So, you have big problems however you try to do it, and we've got to work out the best way for us."

Strachan continued: "If we had everyone fit and available, I think we are a stronger squad than two years ago.

"But they are a better team now. They were not the champions of England when we last played them. They are now, and they are also the Champions League holders.

"But we have been in against the European champions before and got a result."

He was referring to the home win over AC Milan last season. But it was their most recent Champions League performance, in Villarreal last month, which provides the template going into this match.

"We need to do something similar to how we played in Spain, but this time take the chances that come our way," said Strachan.

"We did try to get something from Villarreal, and we will try to get something from Manchester.

"It's not over no matter what happens tomorrow."

To support this theory, Strachan called on national experience. He said: "I saw people saying the Norway game was a must-win for Scotland.

"But that has since been shown to be a heap of nonsense, as the World Cup qualifying table now confirms."