Strachan shrugs off defeat by MLS

New football import David Beckham watched the match in Denver

Gordon Strachan insists that Celtic's 2-0 defeat by the MLS All-Stars has not derailed his pre-season plans.

Colombians Juan Pablo Angel and Juan Toja scored against the Scottish champions in Denver.

But Celtic manager Strachan said: "That was a great work-out and I think the summer is officially over.

"I enjoyed it, especially in the second half, when we got things organised. But the MLS can be proud of themselves. They played well."

Celtic have games against Chicago Fire, Newcastle United and Parma to come before the Scottish Premier League curtain-raiser against Kilmarnock.

And Strachan pointed out that the select side, managed by former Scotland international Steve Nicol and featuring 15 internationals from the USA, Canada, Grenada and Colombia, were further ahead in terms of fitness.

"They started brighter," he said. "There was an energy to them, an energy that comes I would think with them being at home and playing quite a few games and being right on top of their game.

I think the game was won and lost in the first half MLS All-Stars coach Steve Nicol

"Everybody's sharp, mentally sharp and competing in every game.

"We're not at that stage yet, we're still preparing, so the edge they had mentally helped and the energy they've built up over the season helped."

Strachan thought his own side could have been better prepared.

"It took them a long time to warm up, so we need to think about preparation," he said.

"We didn't do anything this morning, so maybe we could have been a bit sharper.

"But there you go, you take your choice in taking training and saying what's best for the players and maybe it wasn't right.

"But you can't take anything away from the MLS. I thought they were excellent.

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"We gave them a better game in the second half because we got ourselves organised and they listened to the coach at half-time. The players got better."

With new LA Galaxy signing David Beckham watching from the stands at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Celtic started with Stephen McManus as captain.

The young defender appears to have won his battle with Steven Pressley for the armband as the veteran started beside him in defence.

There was a first pre-season start for Paul Hartley in midfield, while summer signing Scott McDonald teamed up with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in attack.

Juan Toja scored the MLS All-Stars' second goal against Celtic

But it was goalkeeper Artur Boruc who was the Celtic hero with a fine stop to deny Tojo early on and then saving a penalty from Eddie Johnson, who had been felled by Scott Brown.

McDonald went closest for Celtic with a shot that struck a post.

But it was the select, who included former Dundee United winger Ronnie O'Brien and former Aston Villa striker Angel in their side, who won the game.

Strachan admitted that Celtic had taken time to adapt to Nicol's 3-5-2 system.

Nicol said: "I think we deserved to win the game.

"In the first half, we were the team who looked most likely to create and take chances.

"Juan Pablo's goal was fantastic: one-on-one with the goalie, keeps calm, goes around him and puts it into the net - superb.

"Second half, they came out stronger, but we kept them out and generally didn't have too much to worry about. I think the game was won and lost in the first half."