Strachan is unimpressed but relieved to be through

MILAN: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insisted it was the overall result and not the performance that mattered after Celtic sneaked into the Champions League knock-out stages despite a 1-0 loss at the hands of reigning titleholders AC Milan.

Veteran forward Filippo Inzaghi scored his 63rd goal in European competition to break the great Gerd Muller's long-standing record on a night of celebration at the San Siro here on Tuesday.

The match was a dreadful affair in the first half before picking up after the break as Milan pushed on in search of a winner.

Strachan was a little bamboozled by his team's play but was relieved to be in the second round after Shakhtar Donetsk lost 2-1 at home to Benfica.

"You probably don't want my thoughts on the game. I'm still taking it in," quipped Strachan.

"The coaching staff tell me it's a fantastic achievement. It was a tough group and after the first two games you probably would have to say that Shakhtar were the favorites to go through, so for us to achieve nine points is fantastic.

"We're going to enjoy it, but we must do better away from home. There's lots of positives but also one or two negatives that I'm desperate to sort out."

Strachan admitted he started to look nervously for the Shakhtar score once Milan took the lead 20 minutes from time, following a flowing move that saw Kaka break down the right, feed the overlapping Cafu who crossed for Inzaghi to score a typical poacher's goal from five yards.

"I was OK until they (Milan) scored, then I started looking a bit for help. I got the thumbs up and left it until the final minute and then Dave Tanner from Sky gave me the thumbs up and everything was okay."

However, Strachan is still looking for a solution to Celtic's away form conundrum. In 15 group stage Champions League matches, it has lost 14 and drawn one.

"I think the next level would be being a force away from home in Europe. We know we're a force at home. Why? There's lots of reasons why and when I can find out why I'll be able to do something about it."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was just pleased to ensure top spot in the group and the perceived advantage of playing the second leg of the second round at home.

"It (the lack of action) was actually expected in the first half. The draw was enough for both teams," he said.

"In the second half the rhythm went up and we deserved to win.

"In the beginning we had difficulties playing at pace, but in the second half we did play at pace.

"It's certainly important for us (to finish top). It's important to have the second leg at the San Siro."

Ancelotti was not surprised to witness Inzaghi break Muller's record.

"We could forsee it. He wanted this goal so much and he prepared and trained for it, and he deserved it."

AFP

(China Daily 12/06/2007 page20)