The result is not always everything. This statement constitutes football heresy, but it points to the truth that there are important facets for a club beyond the scoreline.

The result is not always everything. This statement constitutes football heresy, but it points to the truth that there are important facets for a club beyond the scoreline.

Much will be made of Celtic holding Manchester United at Parkhead on Wednesday night. There will be those who will state that it shows Celtic can compete at the highest level and that the gap in class between the European champions and the Scottish champions is not as wide as feared only two weeks ago after the drubbing at Old Trafford.

This siren voice should be resisted. United were dominant at Celtic Park. This is not an opinion. It is supported by statistics. United had 26 shots on goal to Celtic's six, earned 12 corners to Celtic's four and Ben Foster saved twice for United while Artur Boruc had to make seven significant interventions.

The most telling statistic, however, is possession. Celtic had 34% of the ball against United. This is both their triumph and their tragedy. The downside is that this lack of possession condemns Celtic to energetic chasing and frantic defending. The upside is that this is a side who have an appetite for work and the spirit of champions.

The question now is: where can that take them? Aalborg and Villarreal are next up in Europe. Statistics again show that Celtic only command the ball 38% of the time in Champions League fixtures. The best this observer can forecast is that Celtic take the UEFA Cup slot. This would be far from a disgrace in a group containing the European champions and an excellent Spanish side.

If this seems an unduly pessimistic view after an emotional night at Celtic Park, it can be leavened by investigating the capacity of the team to improve. There was much to admire beyond spirit at Parkhead.

Firstly, this was a Celtic side that contained seven Scots in the starting line-up. The combined total of Englishmen in the Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea starting line-ups this week was nine. Strachan is pursuing a European agenda with domestic personnel.

It may, eventually, work to Celtic's advantage. The only way forward for the Scottish champions is to identify local talent and give it a level of coaching that ensures it prospers.

The transfer market is not an option as a route to the very highest level. Celtic brought on Ben Hutchinson, Darren O'Dea and Massimo Donati on Wednesday. Manchester United brought on Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov. One set of incoming substitutes thus cost more than £65m. They were not wearing hoops.

Celtic's prospects thus lie with the present personnel and coaching staff. There is enough in both categories to inspire optimism. The players are dedicated and professional. The over-riding impression in the mixed zone after the United match was of players who were bitterly disappointed at not winning.

This may have been unrealistic, but is a testament to their ambition. There were also some fine performances in adversity on Wednesday. Andreas Hinkel played his best game for Celtic. Mark Wilson was outstanding in a left-back position that should not suit him. Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus were brave and strong in central defence.

It was more instructive to reflect on the midfield. Paul Hartley and Barry Robson have been vilified for not being of Champions League class. This misses the point. Champions League midfielders cost more than £1m. But both contributed on Wednesday to a performance that was combative and ensured United knew they had been in a battle.

Robson, and here's another stat, is the player to have committed most fouls in the Champions League this season. Of any team. His "cementing" of Darren Fletcher brought a smile to the lips of those who remember "old football". It failed to humour United's Scottish midfielder, however, and set the tone for a feisty night in midfield.

Scott Brown revelled in this atmosphere. He gave away the ball wastefully on at least two occasions, but his energy, skill and sheer will suggests he can be an influential player for Celtic even at the highest level. He is improving and has benefited from individual coaching.

Gordon Strachan can be proud of both the dedication of his team and their willingness to adapt. Neil Lennon, former player and now coach, seems to have added a fire to Celtic. His appointment, remember, coincided with Celtic's committed run to the title last year.

But Strachan has emerged from the past weeks with his coaching reputation enhanced. Stripped of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras, the Celtic manager has managed. He has been helped by Scott McDonald playing to the top of his ability and by Cillian Sheridan's unstinting efforts to take his chance.

McDonald/Sheridan v Nemanja Vidic/Rio Ferdinand should not be a contest. It was on Wednesday. Celtic's front two epitomised the players' determination to extract every ounce from their abilities.

Strachan, too, has the makings of a side that should prosper domestically. Samaras, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Shunsuke Nakamura and Aiden McGeady, who all did not play on Wednesday, are powerful weapons in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Celtic, too, have a future in Europe in the short term. It may have to be in the UEFA Cup, though.