GORDON Strachan has hinted that he would love his Celtic side to be paired with Real Madrid in today's Champions League draw.
The Spanish giants are one of the few European heavyweights Celtic have managed to avoid in the competition in recent seasons.
However, Parkhead manager Strachan believes that Celtic fans would relish a tussle with the nine-time European champion
s.
He told Celtic View: "Real Madrid? That would be handy. I think everyone at Celtic would like to get Real Madrid."
The two clubs have not met competitively since Real overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to win the 1980 European Cup quarter-final between the pair 3-2 on aggregate.
Parkhead has been treated to thrilling matches against the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona and Manchester United in recent years. However, there has also been a familiarity with certain teams, with Milan, Barca, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk making multiple visits to Glasgow in recent years.
Meanwhile, Strachan admits he was taken by surprise at the seriousness of Scott McDonald's groin injury.
The Australia striker is a major doubt for Sunday's first Old Firm derby of the season with a muscle tear.
"Scott's injury came as a surprise to us because he trained on Friday morning," Strachan said. "But he might be fit for Sunday. He's a strong lad so we'll see how he is."
Strike partner Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is also a big concern after the Dutchman was stretchered off after 28 minutes of Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory against Falkirk.
"We'll need to watch Jan this week," Strachan said. "He has a gash in an awkward part of his leg and that could be a problem when he is striking the ball."
The loss of last season's 51-goal strike force for Sunday's game would be a huge blow but Strachan believes Georgios Samaras and new signing Shaun Maloney, returned from Aston Villa, can fill the void.
Maloney came off the bench to replace Vennegoor of Hesselink on Saturday and had a dream second debut following his return from Aston Villa.
"Shaun lifted the crowd when he came on and played very well," Strachan said.
"We couldn't get our instructions about our shape on to the first set of strikers but Shaun listened. He got the reception I was expecting as well.
"That's one of the biggest roars I've heard here for a long time. I reassured him that everyone at the club was delighted to see him back and I always thought the supporters would feel the same way.
"Georgios did well too and scored a couple of goals but there is better in him.
"He gives me something to think about for Sunday though. He's got a good presence, he scored two goals, is feeling good about himself and has a lot of running in him. Georgios has a lot in his locker."
As for Sunday's game, Strachan is expecting something more "cultured" than the last two Old Firm clashes at Celtic Park, which yielded eight goals, two red cards and two missed penalties.
He added: "Whenever you play against Falkirk, you are going to get chances and they are going to get chances. But a derby game is different altogether."
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE DRAWPOT 1
Chelsea, Liverpool*, Barcelona, Arsenal*, Manchester Utd, Lyon, Inter Milan, Real Madrid
POT 2
Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven, Villarreal, Roma, Porto, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon, Schalke 04*
POT 3
Juventus, Marseille*, Zenit St Petersburg, Steaua Bucharest*, Panathinaikos, Bordeaux, CELTIC, Basel*
POT 4
Fenerbahce*, Shakhtar Donetsk*, Fiorentina*, Dynamo Kiev*, Cluj, Aalborg*, Anorthosis*, BATE Borisov*
*Subject to last night's results
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