Sheridan an option for Old Trafford

Former Celtic youth coach Joe McBride insists Republic of Ireland under-21 international Cillian Sheridan could provide an "element of surprise" against Manchester United in Tuesday's Champions League clash at Old Trafford.

Parkhead manager Gordon Strachan will be without any of his target men for the trip south after Georgios Samaras joined Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Chris Killen on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury playing for Greece in midweek.

Strachan is also sweating on the fitness of stopper Gary Caldwell and Spanish midfielder Marc Crosas after they both picked up injuries during yesterday's 2-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win at Inverness while right-back Andreas Hinkel is still out with a thigh complaint.

Sheridan, 19, made his fifth substitute appearance for the Scottish champions when he came on for Scott McDonald against Caley but has yet to play 45 minutes in total for the first team since he made his debut at the same venue last year.

Strachan claimed it would be "unfair" to pitch the young Irishman in against the Champions League holders but alternatives are thin on the ground for Celtic who, after a home draw against Aalborg and a defeat away to Villarreal, need to take something from Old Trafford to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Former Everton and Hibernian wide-man McBride, who coached Sheridan at under-19 level, said that the lanky striker would, if nothing else, disrupt United's game-plan.

"If you are going to get thrown in anywhere, it may as well be at Old Trafford," McBride said. "What a baptism of fire that would be against two top class defenders like Ferdinand and Vidic,

"Cillian has lot of qualities, he's a tall lad and he is very good in the air. He has great positional sense, he can see where crosses are going to arrive
and he has a venomous shot in his left foot.

"Add to that his pace and you can see why he used to terrorise teams at under-19 level and why he has been added to Gordon's squad. The only thing he lacks is experience which will probably mean that Gordon will start him on the bench.

"But on the other hand, he would offer the element of surprise."