Celtic restored some pride on their pre-season tour of America as goalkeeper David Marshall kept Mexican powerhouse Chivas de Guadalajara at bay in a 0-0 draw in New Jersey.
The Scottish champions had been hammered 4-0 in Washington by DC United on Wednesday night but they put on a more spirited showing at Giants Stadium, largely down to the heroics of Marshall after another wobbly defensive performance.
Strachan made three changes to his team from Wednesday. Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady and Stephen Pearson came into midfield for Stilian Petrov and a rested Shaun Maloney.
Derek Riordan replaced Craig Beattie up front alongside fellow new signing Kenny Miller, who had been sent off for serious foul play against DC.
Celtic's defence remained unchanged from their testing evening but the Mexicans picked up the baton from the MLS leaders in tormenting an initially shaky back line.
Marshall had to dive to his left to turn a 20-yard eighth-minute shot from Juan Pablo Rodriguez round his left post when his defence failed to deal with a Chivas corner.
And he was relieved to see Adolfo Bautista's chip float inches over his crossbar after the Celtic backline was split by a headed through ball from captain Ramon Morales.
Celtic spent almost the entire first 45 minutes hemmed in their own half with the ball rarely reaching Miller and Riordan as the Hoops' midfield spent the opening period on the back foot.
Celtic failed to launch a single shot on goal before the break and their frustration was capped when Gary Caldwell was booked for a tough tackle on Gonzalo Pineda three minutes before half -time.
Strachan withdrew Riordan at the break and restored Beattie to the attack and Celtic started the second half in more positive fashion - yet it was still Chivas who looked most threatening, with an in-swinging corner from the left punched off the line at the near post by Marshall.
It was 58 minutes before Strachan's side troubled the Chivas keeper, when McGeady cut inside from the right wing and sent a low left-footed shot straight at Luis Ernesto Michel.
Strachan made further changes, introducing Evander Sno for Jiri Jarosik in the 70th minute and then replacing captain Neil Lennon with Alan Thompson seven minutes later.
Yet it was the Chivas substitutes who nearly made the breakthrough, Alberto Medina rifling a low shot into the side netting in the 78th minute before Marshall had to parry a curling a shot from Sergio Santana two minutes later.
Marshall's heroics continued as time ran out. First he saved with his feet as Bautista bore down on him in a one-on-one in the 87th minute and seconds later he blocked at his near post as another drive came in from Medina.
Celtic nearly stole victory in stoppage time when Beattie arrived at the back post to meet a cross from the left, only to head back across goal and beyond the other post. It would have been more than the Scottish champions deserved.
Meanwhile, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has admitted his squad is still lacking experience as he attempts the 'impossible' job of replacing Roy Keane.
The 34-year-old ex-Republic of Ireland captain was forced to retire after conceding defeat to a hip injury in June, ending a glittering playing career.
But the Hoops have also seen seasoned strikers John Hartson and Chris Sutton leave this year, while Bulgarian midfielder Petrov has handed in an official transfer request.
Strachan has seen his young team come up short in pre-season, exposed in defence and lacking firepower up front.
