Strachan aware of transfer constraints

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits luring top-class players to Scotland is going to be a tough proposition.

The double-winning boss wants two or three new players for their tilt at the Champions League next season.

But Strachan admits that pinpointing players is the easiest part even for the Scottish champions.

He said: “An agent said to me once that you have to blindfold a player and gag them to get them up here, then put a big wad in their pocket. So it is definitely not easy.”

Chief scout Ray Clarke is currently scouring the world for possible signings.

Strachan added: “I wouldn’t expect too much from Ray because it’s a lot of hard work to get who you are after. Everyone is trying to discover gems.

“But even when the likes of Arsenal get kids at 15 and 16, a lot of money is changing hands.

“Don’t think they just come along for the good of their health.”

Strachan has struck gold with Maciej Zurawski and Shunsuke Nakamura so he is keeping his cards close to his chest.

He told The Glasgow Evening Times: “You won’t get the world’s top players who are at their peak at the moment because they will go elsewhere.

“What you to try and do is nick some younger ones, or men that no-one has yet discovered, like Maciej Zurawski or Shunsuke Nakamura.

“Hopefully you can give them the platform they will enjoy.”

Strachan believes competing in the Champions League could entice top players to Parkhead.

“It is useful,” he admitted. “Most players, if they one day want to play in the Spanish or Italian league, have to do well in the Champions League.

“So they have to get themselves on the platform of the competition to achieve that and we are giving them the chance to perform on that platform.”