Strachan: Dublin deal is possibility

Gordon Strachan declared it still possible that Dion Dublin would be one of two players to arrive at Celtic before the season starts following the friendly victory over Everton.

Aiden McGeady came off the bench at Parkhead to give the Bank of Scotland Premier League champions and CIS Insurance Cup winners their first victory out of six pre-season matches.

But Celtic, who had Kenny Miller and Maciej Zurawski in a new-look strikeforce, are still finding goals hard to come by ahead of the big kick-off against Kilmarnock next week.

Strachan is also finding money for new players hard to come which is why he might have to bring 37-year-old former Manchester United striker Dublin back after finishing the season with them last season.

“I’ve no idea if we can get more players in but it could happen,” said Strachan.

“I have been trying to bring in players since I got here and for this season but have not been able to because of circumstances.

“We have had to put the pressure on the shoulders of Maciej and Kenny. We need help from the youngsters or somebody coming through.

“We like Bosmans here so we might have to do more of them. Hopefully the players we bring in will have that presence.

“We lost four big players for various reasons in Chris Sutton, Roy Keane, Dion Dublin and John Hartson, who were huge personalities.

“We have to replace them but it’s going to be hard to replace them.

“So Dion Dublin (who scored twice in 12 games last season) coming back is not impossible. We are still looking and speaking so it’s not improbable either.

“It’s definitely possible as we are looking for people with presence.”

But Strachan denied linking up with Darren Huckerby was again on the cards after watching him for Norwich against Falkirk yesterday.

“I just went along to see him,” he said. “I went to see how many times he was caught offside and he didn’t let me down.”

Strachan also denied there had been any more approaches for midfielder Stilian Petrov, who would start next season with the Hoops.

He added: “There’s been nothing since then (Portsmouth’s interest).

“I don’t have a problem playing him next week and after that as his performance today showed.”

Everton manager David Moyes has been an admirer of the Bulgarian but he added: “I’m not interested as I’ve spent our money now.”

James McFadden was missing but the former Celtic player revealed the Scotland international was close to signing a new contract.

“We have been speaking and we are just about there,” said Moyes. “He has had a thigh problem and I didn’t want to take a risk.”