Strachan fears Celtic lack Euro experience

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan fears his squad is too young to cope with the demands of the Champions League.

The Scottish champions are hoping to make an impact in the tournament this time around after falling at the first hurdle last year.

Since then, older players – such as Chris Sutton and John Hartson – have left Parkhead and Strachan has added young talent in the shape of Kenny Miller, Gary Caldwell and Derek Riordan over the summer.

But he admits he is now lacking experience for the challenges that lie ahead in the new campaign.

“When I first got here we were old and we’ve tried our best to get as many young players as we can,” he said.

“But we need that experience. You look at the teams who do well in the Champions League and the World Cup and they have a good smattering of experience.

“We can’t just leave it to Neil Lennon and Paul Telfer. It’s a problem, especially when it comes to the Champions League.”

Strachan has also recruited Jiri Jarosik from Chelsea and Feyenoord youngster Evander Sno.

But he says he simply cannot compete with the top clubs in England as he attempts to bolster his squad further.

“It’s madness now,” he added. “Say I’m looking for a striker.

“Andy Johnson – £8.5m (€12.3m) and however many thousand a week. Dean Ashton – £7.5m (€10.8m).

“I don’t even have what they get for one player in my whole budget.

“Even if we went for these guys the wages would kill us. So we have to try elsewhere.”