Strachan interested in Celtic move

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gordon Strachan is lining up a January swoop for versatile Celtic defender Mark Wilson. 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. 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. 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. 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. Wilson would slot straight into the right-back role, but the Scotsman can also play at left-back. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Source: Northern_Echo