Celtic take positive attitude to Slovakia

Bratislava v Celtic, Tehelne Pole Stadion, 7.0: Gordon Strachan faces his first official test as Celtic manager tonight knowing his team must improve on their pre-season form if they are to make a winning start in Slovakia.

Celtic take on Artmedia Bratislava after a pre-season campaign which seems to have exposed more deficiencies than strengths in the current Parkhead squad.

The former Southampton manager saw his side complete their friendlies with a scoreless draw against Leeds on Sunday, which meant their only pre-season goals were in a 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon and no wins were recorded in the four games.

Strachan's assistant, Tommy Burns, conceded it would take the team time to gel after a summer of transition, but he insisted they would approach the first leg positively.

"I don't think a club like Celtic can ever go and look at a game for damage limitation," he said. "We are as well prepared as possible bearing in mind that 12 or 13 players have left in the last couple of months. It's not about waving a magic wand and everything gels."

Artmedia's coach Vladimir Weiss was in Glasgow on Sunday for Leeds's visit but can have learnt little as Strachan rested Neil Lennon, John Hartson, Chris Sutton and Stilian Petrov.

All four will return tonight, and Strachan will be hoping that means a return to goalscoring form. Shaun Maloney will make way despite a man-of-the-match performance against Leeds.

Celtic's latest signing, Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, a £2.7 million capture from Reggina, was registered too late to feature. Paul Telfer is expected to take his place at right back and other newcomers, Mo Camara, Jeremie Aliadiere and Maciej Zurawski, will also come straight into contention for places.

Adam Virgo, a signing from Brighton, is injured, but former Legia Warsaw goalkeeper Artur Boruc will start after impressing during pre-season.