Responding to chairman Steve Gibson's rousing claims this week that Boro are capable of emulating the most successful period in their history Strachan offered a more sobering assessment of the Teessiders' prospects.
The Scot insists that his ambitions chime with those of his ever-optimistic chairman.
But his experience of inheriting Martin O'Neill's hugely successful legacy at Celtic leads him to be more circumspect about Boro's ability to repeat the achievements of the last 15 years.
The club needs to be remoulded that's for sure,
noted Strachan.
I hope we can make it exciting for the fans. The days of the £12m signings and paying ridiculous wages are gone for this club. We hope to mould a side that is proud to represent the club and who will do anything to take it forward.
With a place in the Championship play-offs the immediate aim, Strachan's message to Boro fans is to cherish the memories of the 2004 Carling Cup victory and their UEFA Cup exploits as it may take some time to recapture such glory. But the manager insists that he is inspired rather than daunted by such memories.
You can't fear a club's history.
In that case no one will want to succeed Alex Ferguson,
he noted. You try and keep it going, build a camaraderie to bring the good days back. Every club has dips and you need to stay calm and build to get back to your high point and hopefully exceed it.
You build a platform for the comeback to start.
It's not daunting. I followed Martin O'Neil at Celtic who'd enjoyed great success. I went to Leeds as a player and had to live with their ghosts.
You can't wipe away these memories. Middlesbrough supporters should cherish the UEFA final. They are very lucky to have enjoyed nights like that, some clubs get nothing like it in their history, he said.
Aberdeen had a period when they were the best team in Europe but the supporters moan and groan get over it!
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Just over two years ago Gareth Southgate invested over £12.7m in Brazilian striker Afonso Alves but Strachan does not expect to be given the opportunity to make such costly mistakes in the transfer market.
I don't think we will ever spend that type of money again. Blackburn, Chelsea, Man City were doing nothing until they bought success. We haven't got that kind of money so we do it another way. By working hard. There is no other way.
One bit of transfer business Strachan hopes to complete this summer is to agree a new deal for inspirational defender Emanuel Pogatetz who returned to training this week.
The Austria international is out of contract at the end of the season but he epitomises the type of gutsy character that Strachan wants in his side as they battle to bring back the good times.
Poggy trained on Thursday but it's a while since he played so we'll not be rushing him. He is a big player for us and we miss him. He is a great personality to have in the team and is very hard for us to replace when he's not in the squad. We haven't talked about a new contract just yet.
Most of that type of thing is on hold until we know where we are going to be playing next season. I would like to keep him, absolutely.
Fans can now book their seats for today's game at the Riverside and next Tuesday when Boro host Preston.
Prices for Boro Pride members are £8 for under-18s and start at £14 18- 21s/over-65s and £21 adults.
Boro Pride members can also purchase a family ticket for one adult and one under-18 in blocks 44 or 46 of the East Stand for just £27.
General sale prices are £13 under- 18s and start at £16 over-65s and £23 adults. 18-21s pay adult general sale prices.
A family ticket in blocks 44 and 46 for supporters who are not Boro Pride members is priced £34.
To book home seats online go to www.mfc.co.uk or call 0844 499 1234 24 hours a day or in person at the Riverside ticket office of MFC retail store in Captain Cook Square.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo