Source: Northern_Echo
Boro want striker after Celtic quartet
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Gordon Strachan hopes to have finalised deals for four Celtic players within the next 24 hours before attempting to make progress in his search for a striker.[LNB] Strachan has had talks with defender Gary Caldwell and midfielder Barry Robson about completing a £1.6m double transfer from Parkhead, with decisions expected today.[LNB] Middlesbrough are also on the verge of taking on the contracts of target-man Chris Killen and midfielder Willo Flood until the end of the season, but Strachan is keen to keep recruiting.[LNB] Finding a goalscorer remains his main priority and, despite making numerous enquiries across the country, he is finding that more difficult.[LNB] He has been encouraged by Birmingham's willingness to offload former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips. But he will be allowed to leave only once Alex McLeish's own search for a striker enjoys success.[LNB] Blackburn's Jason Roberts has emerged as a realistic alternative following Hull's decision to retain Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink rather than sell to Boro.[LNB] Ideally Strachan would have landed Celtic's £5mrated Scott McDonald, who has been priced out of a move to the North-East, or Rangers' Kris Boyd.[LNB] But Gers boss Walter Smith has suggested that he will be doing everything he can this month to keep Boyd, who is out of contract in the summer.[LNB] Smith, aware there has been contact with Middlesbrough, said: We have quite a few players out of contract at the end of the season, so we have to start trying to get those players tied up.[LNB] Kris is the first one we have gone to and we hope we can get it sorted out.[LNB] Martin spoke with Kris's agent on Friday and the club made him an offer. They have been left to think about it. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement.[LNB] The terms of that proposal will either lead to Boyd committing his future to Ibrox or push him out of the door, knowing he could more than double his weekly wage by heading across the border.[LNB] Boro's attempts to land Boyd are also complicated by suggestions that there is Premier League interest in him, with Wigan, Birmingham and Aston Villa all linked.[LNB] Wigan's top-flight status also threatens Caldwell's proposed move to Teesside, with the Latics said to have held talks with the defender last night.[LNB] The Scotland international harbours hopes of playing in the Premier League, but Strachan hopes his relationship he was his manager at Celtic will prove to be the decisive factor.[LNB] Boro are also expected to confirm their second departure of the month today when Mohamed Shawky completes a move to Turkey.[LNB] The Egyptian midfielder has been in discussions with Kayserispor and looks destined to follow Didier Digard in leaving the Riverside.[LNB] Boro remain determined to retain the services of Emanuel Pogatetz, despite further interesting claims emanating from Greece.[LNB] Panathinaikos are alleging in Athens that they have agreed terms with Pogatetz over a deal which would see him move there when his contract expires in the summer.[LNB] But they are desperate to have him over there now and they are preparing to make further contact with Middlesbrough this week after having their initial advances rebuffed.[LNB]
