Strachan excited as Miller crosses divide

GORDON STRACHAN is convinced the pre-contract signing of Kenny Miller is a major coup for Celtic.

Strachan is celebrating after beating off stiff competition from the Barclays Premiership and Italy's Serie A to land the Wolves striker on a three-year deal.

The 26-year-old's summer arrival will bolster his attacking options and the joyous Hoops boss believes the Scotland international will become a big hit with the supporters.

Strachan said: "Kenny is a quality player and I am delighted to have secured his signing for next season.

"He is still a young player with his best years ahead of him and I am sure he will be a great addition to our squad from next season onwards.

"We are pleased Kenny has chosen Celtic as the club where he wishes to continue his career."

Miller himself is far from daunted by the prospect of crossing the Old Firm divide after rejecting offers in the UK and abroad to sign a pre-contract agreement with the Scottish giants.

The former Rangers and Hibernian striker will join the Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders in the summer on a three-year contract, with the option of a further year.

The Wolves man refused to sign a new contract at Molineux and said: "It is a tremendous honour to have signed for a club of Celtic's stature.

"I was fortunate enough to have a number of options, however, when Celtic made their interest known, this was where I wanted to play.

Rangers had also considered bringing the player back to Ibrox but their interest apparently cooled.

Miller will become one of the few post-war players to have played for both sides of the Old Firm.

Alfie Conn played for Rangers then Celtic, via Tottenham, in the 1970s.

Fellow forward Mo Johnston, more controversially, joined Rangers in 1989 from Nantes after publicly saying he was looking forward to a second spell with Celtic.

Miller has vowed to end his career at Wolves by leading the Molineux club into the top flight.

He added: "Clearly, my focus for the rest of this season is Wolves and I will be doing all I can to assist the club in their efforts to secure promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has promised to continue backing Strachan in the transfer market.

The club have this week landed Dundee United full-back Mark Wilson while Hibernian skipper Gary Caldwell also looks set to pen a pre-contract agreement.

Miller spent four years in the green and white of Hibernian before moving to Ibrox for £2million in 2000.

He struggled to make an impact with Rangers and was sold to Wolves for £3million 18 months later.