Celtic v Manchester Utd:ALEX FERGUSON will have no qualms about handing the goalkeeper Ben Foster his European debut at Celtic Park tonight. Foster, who has made just one competitive appearance for United amid a loan spell at Watford and cruciate ligament damage, is expected to deputise for the rested Edwin van der Sar as Ferguson seeks the victory which would confirm progression to the Champions League's last 16. Ferguson has tipped the 25-year-old as a future England goalkeeper, an opinion he was happy to endorse last night.
"We have two outstanding young goalkeepers [Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak] who deserve opportunities like tomorrow night and to sample the atmosphere," Ferguson explained.
"With Ben, I can only go on what I see in training and his performance against Derby County last year. He was absolutely outstanding that day, it was a magnificent performance considering he hadn't played for a year beforehand.
"From what we see in training and what we saw at Watford, we would say he is an England number one. Having Edwin van der Sar there doesn't make it easy for him but he is young and his time will come. I am in a very privileged position with goalkeepers."
Foster's return to the limelight should be a brief one. Van der Sar will return for Saturday's meeting with Arsenal as will Gary Neville, who misses out tonight having reported a niggle during training yesterday morning.
Whether he admits it or not, and he didn't, revenge must be prominent in Ferguson's mind. Two years ago, a superb Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick condemned United to defeat in Glasgow's east end. For Ferguson, a Glaswegian and former Rangers player, the blow would have been particularly severe.
"It is hard to equate two years ago with today," said the manager, who also played down Gordon Strachan's claims that Celtic will face the best team in the world.
"Last year we were the best team in Europe, but we only won it on penalty-kicks after all. We didn't beat Chelsea by a landslide. I don't think there is a lot between ourselves, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona in terms of ability."
Yet United appear under few illusions over the combative approach the Scottish champions will offer both on and off the field. "I can assure you we will not underestimate them," said Ferguson. "I don't think there is any question that Celtic will turn it into a game where they compete very strongly against us and the crowd will help them that way.
"It is not just Celtic, we will have to control the crowd. I would expect them to be in our faces, the support Celtic have will drive them on that way. Hopefully we have the experience to deal with that."
Ferguson proved more animated when unexpectedly raising the issue of George Boateng. The Hull midfielder clearly riled the Scot with comments after United's 4-3 victory over the newly promoted side at the weekend. "George Boateng produced quote of the year after Saturday," Ferguson retorted. "He said Hull went one-v-one with us in the second half to find out how good we are. We have just won the European bloody Cup. Can you believe that one?"
If Strachan has ever been envious of the resources at an opposite number's disposal, such an emotion will intensify. As Ferguson contemplates which striker from Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez he will opt to rest, Celtic's manager struggles to field a forward line worthy of the name at all.
Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are injured; Celtic's physical presence in attack will be supplied by the 19-year-old Cillian Sheridan, if their manager even feels able to give Scott McDonald a partner.
"You also have to be able to defend set plays," explained Strachan.
"Not that I'm saying we make a team of giants, but we have to have a certain amount of people in the team who can head the ball. You have to get the balance between height, strength, pace, ability to pass the ball.
"I don't think Cillian even played 20 full games in the reserves because he has been injured. He's been in the fold with the first-team players since he came here 18 months ago, it's not like he's a new fixture in that way. We all know what he can and can't do."
Given the 3-0 mauling his team were subjected to a fortnight ago, Strachan is also painfully aware of United's talents.
However, the Celtic boss looked relaxed ahead of the game and when asked what lay ahead for his side, he replied: "Good fun, I'm looking forward to another exciting evening.
"It's another challenge, another dream and, yes, it should be good fun.
"We have to perform first, have a wee bit of luck, have some decisions going for us, with players playing at their maximum and the result takes care of itself."
