GORDON STRACHAN will not be spooked into paying silly money for new players.

GORDON STRACHAN will not be spooked into paying silly money for new players.

The transfer window is entering its final week. But the Celtic boss will only deal if he believes he is getting real value for money. The club's short-term and long-term interest is paramount.

Strachan has already pulled off a great piece of business in 25-year-old Andreas Hinkel from Seville for £1.9m and will finalise a deal to bring in 22-year-old Japanese star Koki Mizuno by the end of next week.

But any other club or agent who reckons Celtic will pay over the odds just because the clock is ticking on this window is set to be bitterly disappointed.

Strachan said: "We've had our targets. But we're not going to bankrupt the club or offer ridiculous wages or transfer fees. We are trying to buy players who will not to lose their value within a couple of years.

"We hope their value will grow through them getting better so the club, if we need to sell players later on, will get good value for money. But it is very very hard at the moment to get real top players, because real top players are going for huge amounts of money."

Strachan believes he knows why the market has gone crazy, and pins the blame firmly at the door of clubs down south who - bankrolled by TV money - are willing to pay over the odds.

He said: "There is no reality in the market in England any more. There are incredible transfer fees and wages. It is over-priced, and we have a problem with that.

"If we try to buy someone from France and he goes to England then he is going to treble his wages and transfer fee.

"So we have to work very very hard and to pull out a gem like Andy Hinkel."

Spurs' Finnish midfielder Teemu Tainio is the latest name to be linked, though again, cash would be a major stumbling block for the man under contract until 2012.

However, the inflated values in England could work in Celtic's favour as interest grows in signing Derek Riordan.

Bristol City are reported to be tracking the fringe striker. Burnley have already been told £400,000 is not nearly enough, and would have to bid nearer double that.

Left-back Lee Naylor is another player attracting interest with Portsmouth reportedly ready to grant him his wish to head south.

But Celts have still to rule on Polish trialist Seweryn Gancarczyk - a possible replacement - and a price tag of at least £2m is on Naylor.