Strach: We can banish away day blues with win

Sep 28 2008 By Mark Guidi

GORDON STRACHAN reckons Celtic laid the groundwork in preseason for their first ever Champions League away win - now it's time to build some momentum in Villarreal.

The SPL champions geared up for their European campaign by going on the road and recording impressive victories over Porto and Feyenoord.

And gaffer Strachan would love to see a similar result when they travel to Spain on Tuesday night bidding to end a run of six straight away defeats in the group stages.

He said: "We tried different systems during pre-season games with a view to away games in the Champions League.

"You can say it is a 4-5-1 but it becomes three in attack when we have possession.

"It was pleasing to win the matches we tried the system in. Now we have different players and strengths to be able to do something in these games.

"We have more energy in the side and a really good change of pace.

"There is no doubt Villarreal are a right good team. They are now a top European side.

Strengths "People are aware of them and know exactly how difficult this task is.

"We went to Shakhtar last season at this stage and they also had a great side.

Some people outside our club were maybe unaware they had spent £45million on players last summer.

"We lost in Ukraine but I hope we can do something in Spain on Tuesday night. A draw would be great but we'd love a win.

"There's no doubt Villarreal have many strengths and we have to stop them doing what they're good at.

"At this stage I'm only thinking about this game. I haven't given any thought to how many points might be enough to reach the last 16.

"Alex McLeish's Rangers side got through in 2005 with seven points. We made it through with nine in the last two seasons.

"Sir Alex Ferguson always talks about 10 points being the magic figure but we've never reached that amount."

Strachan feels Scottish sides are severely hampered when they come up against Spanish and Portuguese opponents who they are able to sign players from South America without any work permit restrictions. He said: "I believe Villarreal have nine South Americans in their 25-man squad for this tournament.

"They can go to that part of the world and bring in players such as Juan Riquelme then move them on for big fees.

"They plough the money back into Spanish football.

"It's the same at Porto.

Their coach (Jesualdo Ferreira) toldme the onlyway his club can survive is to go to the South American market and find a gem.

"We would do the same if we were allowed to but there are government rules and players must play in 75 per cent of international games to get a work permit." One gem Strachan did recruit in the summer was Greek striker Georgios Samaras who has proved a big success since making his loan switch from Manchester City permanent.

Samaras has been in fine formand Strachan is delighted with the player's performances and commitment.

He said: "Georgios is an unstoppable force just now and you simply let players get on with it when they are in that kind of form.

"He is a terrific guy to coach, a respectful person and a sponge for knowledge.

"And he doesn't want to be a superstar. He just wants to be appreciated by his team-mates."