GORDON STRACHAN revealed today he does not fear Manchester United will be on a revenge mission when they come to Parkhead on Wednesday - even though Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was embarrassed to lose 1-0 on their last visit two years ago.

The Celtic boss believes Fergie demands the current Champions League holders win every game, no matter what has preceded it. And that's why Strachan is convinced his former boss will play his strongest side, even though United face a very important Premiership game against Arsenal next weekend.

He said: "I don't think the United players will be thinking of revenge or anything else.

"The level they play at, they just go out to win every match.

"If you are that type of player, and get to that kind of level in the game, you don't think about it. You play the game and have a pride in winning.

"That's why they have the reputation they have and why I consider them the best team in the world."

It all adds to the pressure building on Celtic to get something from the game and retain a glimmer of hope they can qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League for a third successive season, or, at least, strengthen their bid to book a parachute jump into the Uefa Cup.

Strachan is delighted that his players go into this game back on top of the Spl, having been leapfrogged by Rangers until the Hoops' 2-0 victory at Tynecastle yesterday.

It was Celtic's seventh straight league win, and Strachan said: "What we have done is to put ourselves in a position where we feel reasonably good about ourselves.

"We have got back to the top of the league and the lads can feel proud of that. They have responded well since losing at Old Trafford with a home win over Hibs and two good away victories at Kilmarnock and Hearts.

"The football at Rugby Park was good, and yesterday we had to respond by playing in a different way at Tynecastle.

"But they have handled these games brilliantly."

Meanwhile, weekend reports that agreement has been reached with Barcelona for the January transfer to Parkhead of Brazilian defender Sylvinho are today being played down by senior sources at Celtic Park.