Finishing flaw frustrates Strachan

Celtic FC manager Gordon Strachan regretted the fact that his side could not convert their territorial advantage into a goal as they were held by Aalborg BK in the opening Group E contest and now believes they have to take points away from home in the UEFA Champions League to progress from a section that also includes Manchester United FC and Villarreal CF. His opposite number Bruce Rioch was delighted that his side rose to the occasion at Celtic Park and felt the pivotal moment was when goalkeeper Karim Zaza saved a first-half penalty from Barry Robson.

Gordon Strachan, Celtic manager
We played FC Copenhagen here a couple of years ago, scored an early penalty and went on to win, but tonight we made far more chances than against Copenhagen. We didn't score our penalty and the chances we made we didn't take either. We were below our standards in the first half, had a good start in the second but in the Champions League you have to be good in all areas. In terms of the last 45 minutes, it's probably the most we have ever had in territorial advantage and crosses we put in. I think Rangers got through once with seven points, so we have said that we have got to try and win a game away from home. It's a challenge – not a problem yet. We weren't clinical enough and their goalkeeper made blocks rather than outstanding saves. It leaves us with a challenge because we made enough chances in the second half to win. We need something from the Villarreal game now.

Bruce Rioch, Aalborg coach
We had a talk in the hotel before the game about the occasion because this place is special – it's a theatre. You don't know for sure how the players will face the atmosphere, but there is a super culture and mentality at the club and I felt confident they would handle the occasion. I said to them that when you are young, growing up wanting to be a footballer, and you get a chance to play in occasions like this you mustn't let it pass you by. The Danish culture is that they like to play football – they like to pass and move. We've had a super evening and I don't even want to think about what is coming up but we are in the competition and we've earned that right [to play against Manchester United]. Our goalkeeper has made the penalty save and it was important because goals turn games and it could have been different if they had scored. We didn't come for a draw – we came to compete. That has always been my philosophy.