Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is facing an injury nightmare ahead of his side’s midweek Champions League clash with Manchester United following a hard-fought 2-1 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Marc Crosas and Gary Caldwell both limped out of Saturday’s Scottish Premier League with Caldwell requiring stitches to treat a gash to his ankle while Crosas was subbed late with a hamstring problem.Celtic manager Strachan was already without Andreas Hinkel and strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras and Chris Killen for the match.

And all four have been ruled out of tomorrow’s crucial Group E clash at Old Trafford.Top scorer Samaras, who has netted ten times in 11 games this season, returned from international duty with Greece carrying a knock and was due to have an operation to repair cartilage damage on Sunday.

Dutchman Vennegoor of Hesselink has been ruled out for at least a month after failing to recover from a groin injury he picked up in the first minute of Celtic’s thrashing of Hamilton at the beginning of the month.This leaves Strachan with Scott McDonald as his only real tried-and-trusted target man for the game in Manchester.

“We have a lot of things to look at. Gary Caldwell has had a few stitches in his foot and there are definitely a few knocks about the place,” Strachan said.

“Marc Crosas has pulled his hamstring. We are hoping it is a small strain in his hamstring near the end of the match and that he will be able to play in Manchester.“We have got to find a team that can keep the ball and be a threat at Old Trafford.”

Celtic have picked up just one point from two games in the group and Strachan knows his side’s dreadful away form in the Champions League will need to improve if they are to qualify for the knock-out stage.