Celtic consider Christanval deal

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is considering offering a contract to France defender Philippe Christanval.

The former Barcelona and Monaco player, who turns 27 at the end of the month, trained with the Hoops squad this morning.

The centre-back, who has six international caps, is a free agent having been released by Marseille earlier in June after making just 13 appearances in two years.

Strachan knows he needs to shore up a defence that has let in 13 goals in the first six games of the season, including three in a bitter defeat at rivals Rangers on Saturday.

Christanval also had an unsuccessful trial spell at Arsenal earlier this summer where he featured in a tour of Austria.

Strachan is also understood to be considering a move for Sweden U21 captain Andreas Granqvist of Helsingborgs and his club-mate Atiba Hutchinson, a Canadian midfielder.

The Swedish side want fees for both players, who are rated in the £1m (€1.5m) bracket.

Strachan also knows Bobo Balde has a clause in his contract allowing him a free transfer escape and Marseille are believed to be strongly interested.