Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan interested in Celtic move
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gordon Strachan is lining up a January swoop for versatile Celtic defender Mark Wilson.[LNB] Strachan is ready to return to Parkhead in an attempt to strengthen a Boro defence that shipped two goals at Peterborough last weekend, and the former Celtic boss is expected to propose a loan move for Wilson with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer should the Teessiders win promotion to the Premier League.[LNB] Twenty-five-year-old Wilson is currently injured, but with a return to full fitness pencilled in for two weeks time, a move to Middlesbrough is on the cards for the opening week of the transfer window.[LNB] Strachan has made the recruitment of a new right-back a priority after fielding three different players in the position during the opening four matches of his Riverside reign.[LNB] Tony McMahon, Justin Hoyte and Rhys Williams have also started at right-back under Strachan, but while the Scotsman has talked up all three players at various stages, he does not appear to see any as a long-term solution to his needs.[LNB] Wilson would slot straight into the right-back role, but the Scotsman can also play at left-back.[LNB] His leadership skills would also benefit a Boro side that is short on experience, and Strachan viewed Wilson as one of his most trusted lieutenants during the latter stages of his spell at Celtic.[LNB] Tony Mowbray has previously ruled out letting Wilson leave Parkhead, but the emergence of Scotland Under-21 international Paul Caddis appears to have altered his stance.[LNB] With German Andreas Hinkel currently established as Celtic's preferred rightback, Caddis had threatened to leave if he was stuck at number three in the pecking order.[LNB] However, the youngster is poised to sign a new deal, suggesting he has received assurances that he will be involved in the first-team squad in the second half of the season.[LNB] That would cast major doubts over Wilson's prospects at Parkhead, and Strachan is ready to force Mowbray's hand by making a formal approach at the start of January.[LNB] Wilson cost Celtic £500,000 when he joined from Dundee United in January 2006, and with the defender having signed a contract until 2012 as recently as last winter, the Glasgow club will attempt to more than double their money before sanctioning his sale.[LNB] Middlesbrough are unlikely to be in a position to shell out seven-figure fees in January, so Strachan is expected to propose a loan deal until the end of the season.[LNB] He will also seek a clause that will enable Boro to convert the deal into a permanent transfer if they reclaim their Premier League status next May.[LNB]
