Strachan wants Chinese star back

Gordon Strachan today reiterated his desire to bring China captain Du Wei back to Celtic.

The 23-year-old defender impressed on trial last week before heading back to his homeland.

Strachan was impressed by what he saw but wants a second look to make sure he can answer the club’s problems at the back.

He said: “We’ve had no word back on Du Wei and we haven’t even started discussing a fee with his club. But the situation remains the same – I’d like to have him back for another look.”

Strachan will have no qualms about playing Bobo Balde against Falkirk this weekend after the defender returned to the club yesterday having failed to agree a move to Marseille.

But the Scot is still searching for a central defender with only Stanislav Varga, Stephen McManus, Balde and 18-year-old Darren O’Dea available while Chris Sutton, Adam Virgo and John Kennedy continue their battle for fitness.

Strachan added: “None of the injured lads will be fit to play against Falkirk at the weekend and they’re far enough off (a comeback) to make it even more of a priority that we bring someone in.”

The Celtic manager looks set to start with Shunsuke Nakamura again after his thrilling debut against Dundee United last weekend and he has been surprised by how quickly the Japanese star has won over his team-mates.

Strachan told the Celtic View: “I would hope Shunsuke can be that kind of player for us. But then I think we have a few players who are capable of opening doors for us at this club.

“I must also say that, although he was absolutely brilliant on Saturday, I’m just as pleased with some of the other lads over the past couple of weeks.

“For me the most important thing is that he’s impressed the guys he’s going to be playing alongside. And that’s pretty good going given that he’s only had four or five days to work with the lads and before Saturday it had been about a month since he last played a match of any significance.

“When you take all that into consideration the start he’s made and the way he settled into the team, linking with other players, it has been really encouraging.”