Strachan keeps the faith after run of defeats

Gordon Strachan will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes when Celtic attempt to get their pre-season preparations back on course tomorrow night against Mexican heavyweights Chivas de Guadalajara at Giants Stadium.

Gordon Strachan’s side have lost all three of their friendlies to date, without scoring, in the build-up to the new campaign.

The 4-0 humiliation by DC United in Washington, which followed two defeats in Poland, was compounded by the straight red card issued to new signing Kenny Miller.

Yet as Celtic move east to the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Strachan will stand by his plan to stick with his most experienced players in a bid for a morale-boosting victory over their Mexican opponents.

After taking an inexperienced squad to Poland, Strachan introduced team captain Neil Lennon, wantaway Bulgarian Stilian Petrov, Scottish international Shaun Moloney and debutant Jiri Jarosik to his midfield to face Major League Soccer’s leading side.

The first-teamers came unstuck against an under-strength DC United line-up which dismantled the energy-sapped Scottish champions on a muggy night in the American capital.

“In Poland we changed things dramatically from one game to the next,” said Strachan.

“We won’t be doing that this time, the emphasis will be making sure we do not lose this game, that’s for sure. We’ll be putting out an experienced side to start.

“We’ll be emphasising team shape, attacking wise and defending and really thinking more about winning than we did in Poland.”