Euro cash won't buy new Bhoys for Strachan

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Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell last night said transfer plans had already been decided with the manager before the club progressed from Group D on Tuesday night - and he did not expect any major alterations.

Money will be made available to strengthen the squad but the minimum £2million boost Celtic will earn from again reaching the knockout stage won't be fed into that kitty.

"We have our plans and we knew what we were trying to do," said Lawwell. "In effect, it probably won't affect those plans significantly.

"Gordon and I have sat down over the last number of months. We understand where he wants to strengthen and the targets we'll go for. Hopefully, we can deliver them in January. Those plans were in place before Tuesday."

Strachan has achieved European success against a background of relative prudence, which has left his managerial stock at its highest point yet. Celtic chairman Dr John Reid has lavished praise on the former Scotland midfielder, hailing him as a Parkhead legend in the making.

Reid flew back from Italy with Strachan and his squad yesterday after their 1-0 defeat against AC Milan was rendered irrelevant in terms of qualification by Shakhtar Donetsk losing to Benfica.

The former Home Secretary was thrilled by back-to-back places in the knockout stage.

With Celtic also competing for a third successive SPL title, Reid believes Strachan can soon claim a place among the pantheon of Celtic's greatest managers.

"Gordon has the opportunity and the potential to make himself a true legend at Celtic Park," said Reid. "When you create records and potential records as he is doing, that is the best answer to all your critics.

"We are a team playing in the Scottish league, so we don't have the resources many others in Europe have. For a manager to have qualified with the cream of the continent two years running is a tremendous feat.

"He's done it at the same time as winning two leagues - and we're in the running for a third.

"That is something that has only happened twice in our history, once under Jock Stein and also at the turn of the century. That speaks volumes for the contribution Gordon has made."

Reid insisted that the eventual manner of Celtic's progression to the last-16 should not detract from the achievement.

"There has been a lot of talk of luck but the fact is you make your own luck in this game," he added. "We went to Milan with nine points because Gordon and the boys have produced what is probably the best home record in Europe.

"I'm absolutely delighted. It's the first time a Scottish club has twice qualified for the knockout stages. To finish above a club with the reputation of Benfica and the expenditure of Shakhtar - and just behind a Milan side which are European champions and could soon be world champions - is no mean feat.

"I'm particularly pleased for Gordon and the squad but also for the fans. One thing that has come home forcefully to me in my time here at Celtic is that every single board of directors at other clubs expresses a wish that they had fans with the commitment, passion and sportsmanship of ours."

Reid replaced Brian Quinn as chairman at last month's agm and is thoroughly enjoying the early days of his tenure. "Reaching the last-16 means to me what it means to every other Celtic supporter," he said. "All of the directors at Celtic Park feel the same highs and lows as the fans. We have to accept responsibility for the lows, so occasionally we can share in the highs.

"It has been a great emotional experience for me, as it has for many others. I realise above all what a Celtic victory or Celtic loss means to the fans."