strachan hopes to put on show
David Friel
CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan is praying that the high altitude of Denver will not prevent American soccer fans from seeing a classic match between the Hoops and the MLS All-Stars tonight.
Known in the States as the ‘mile-high city’, because of its altitude of over 5,000 feet, the Celtic squad have been trying to get to grips with the tricky conditions in Denver over the past 48 hours.
And boss Strachan is hoping that it doesn’t ruin what should be a superb spectacle as SPL champions Celtic take on the best players in the MLS in front of a sell-out crowd at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
“I just hope the game is decided on beautiful football – rather than a freak goal, " he told www.celticfc.net
"The altitude is something that a lot of our squad have never experienced before and they have found it strange in training.
“On Tuesday, we did our usual crossing exercise. The players always enjoy it and there are normally a lot of goals being scored.
“But the speed and movement of the ball made it so difficult – I don’t think the strikers even got a touch. It moves a lot quicker and we are also using a very light ball in this game.
“It is so unpredictable and, with the wind blowing in training, the players found it tough going. To use this analogy, it’s like playing table tennis outside in the wind – that’s how much the ball moves.
“There are so many thousands of people coming to this match and we would love to give them a real exhibition on how the game is played. But it’s like asking Tiger Woods to play with the plastic golf balls you give the kids to practise.
“We’re using a completely different ball to normal and, at this altitude, you really need a heavier ball. Instead, we have the lightest ball possible.
"What happened in training was that we tried to cross the ball, and the crosser ended up scoring. I worry about that, because everything else is perfect.
"It’s a smashing stadium, there are some fantastic players in the MLS team, and you have a fantastic surface.”
Strachan is a massive fan of soccer in America and stressed that this All-Star contest is a match that his side desperately want to win.
“We’re really looking forward to it and we know that this team will play at a very high standard,” he said.
“We came here last year, watched the football and it was excellent stuff. This is a really good side we are up against.
“There is a misconception that everyone in Europe doesn’t rate American soccer. That’s totally wrong.
“The national team is constantly high up in the FIFA ranking and when I speak to coaches and players, everybody has a high opinion of it. We know it’s a good standard.
“We want to be here, because we want to play against good teams and it gives the Celtic fans in America a chance to see us play live.
“Celtic is an unusual club. It’s a family club and we have supporters all over the world. There is family everywhere around the world and it’s nice to embrace them.”
THE two matches Celtic will play this coming week in North America can only be seen in one place – Channel 67 – online at www.celticfc.net
The very prestigious clash with the MLS All-Stars on Thursday night (2.30 am Friday morning, Celtic Park time) and the next big pre-season test – the match with Chicago Fire on Sunday will both be live and exclusive on the club’s online subscription service.
Channel 67 also covers every Clydesdale Bank Premier League match live, depending on where you are in the world and is the first place to see each entire match again, regardless of where you are.
The service carries live coverage of most domestic cup ties and European qualifiers so it’s a great way to keep in touch with Celtic.
Existing subscribers can log in HERE for the USA matches and it’s the same address to join up.