Strachan plans double raid on Celts

GORDON STRACHAN is preparing a DOUBLE swoop on Celtic when the transfer window re-opens in January - with Mark Wilson and Barry Robson set to follow their old gaffer to Middlesbrough.

It had been assumed Strach's priority would be to snap up Gary Caldwell. But first he wants to bolster his Boro squad by landing Wilson and Robson for around £1.5million. Caldwell has been in limbo since the Hoops' hierarchy refused to put him on similar wages to Glenn Loovens, Danny Fox and Georgios Samaras.

But Strachan knows chief executive Peter Lawwell's reputation as a stubborn dealer and instead of swooping in January he may hold off until June, when he can pick up Player of the Year Caldwell on a Bosman free.

Celtic's board are under pressure to find the cash Tony Mowbray needs to carry out a major overhaul of the squad.

Now Strachan is ready to help his successor start the clear-out by moving two of his ex-Hoops to Teesside.

His swoop for Wilson will come as no great surprise because he has never hidden the fact he is a huge fan of the 25-year-old full-back.

It was Strachan who splashed out £500,000 to sign the Scotland Under-21 skipper from Dundee United in 2006.

Despite a series of injury problems - including a broken foot, a double hernia, groin and serious pelvic problems - Strachan always kept faith with him.

Strachan's move for Robson is expected to cost him roughly the £1m he paid Dundee United for their skipper on the final day of the January 2008 transfer window.

The attacking midfielder scored vital goals against Barcelona on his Champions League debut and the winner against Rangers in April 2008.

That form earned him six Scotland caps. He is in George Burley's squad to face Wales on Saturday.

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