LAST season Celtic raided Dundee United for Barry Robson and I felt the midfielder made a huge impact at the club this January, it looks as though it's going to be Willo Flood's turn.

LAST season Celtic raided Dundee United for Barry Robson and I felt the midfielder made a huge impact at the club this January, it looks as though it's going to be Willo Flood's turn.

The Irishman is contracted to Cardiff City, but I am sure that it will be United who will feel aggrieved at losing the player.

I've seen Flood a few times and I've been impressed with him and for the pennies that Celtic will get him for, it seems a decent piece of business.

He has always shone up well in games against the Old Firm and he is a midfielder who also seems to have an eye for goal, which is something that is always going to attract clubs.

Robson had to cool his heels on the bench at Celtic when he first arrived 12 months ago, but there is no question that he played a big part in winning the title with some of his performances.

I'm not sure if Flood will have the same chance this season with Shunsuke Nakamura in the final months of his deal, but he could be a shrewd buy for the future.

Celtic will get the player for a minuscule fee and the outlay is equally small for what could be a big return.

Much has been made about the fact that Celtic cannot really go out and spend vast amounts of money on one player just now given the current financial climate but, in all of the chat, I think it is often overlooked the role Gordon Strachan has to play in it.

The guy comes in for a hefty amount of stick, but I believe that he has to be congratulated for what he is doing. Most managers I worked under would all have come under the category of being a little selfish in that they wanted players who were first-team ready.

Strachan has been willing to bring players to the club who aren't set to chap on the door of the first team just yet and he wants to work with them and bring them on.

It is a serious commitment from the manager and it has been overlooked time and time again.

He might be there in three years' time when these players are coming through or he might not, but what he is doing is securing the long-term future of the club.

And he has done it while also putting successful teams on the park and that is no easy feat. Ched Evans is another who is on the radar of Strachan and, at just over £1m, it could be money well spent.

Georgios Samaras came to Celtic after failing to make the grade at Manchester City and at the start of the season I thought the Greek international was absolutely brilliant, although he has faded somewhat.

And there is no doubt that Evans, while still young, can come up and make a similar impact.

The strikers could do with someone to put them under pressure because I think when there is serious competition for places it can bring out the best in players.

Scott McDonald has found out this season that it's all about what you do in the here and now that counts at Celtic rather than what went on last season, but I still reckon that the Aussie would be my first-choice striker.

He hasn't scored as many as he would have liked this campaign, but I actually think his overall contribution has been improved. He is linking up well with the midfield and bringing other players into the game and his work-rate is good.

Samaras has struggled to find the form he showed at the season's start and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is still easing himself into things after his long lay-off.

The goals haven't been as easy to come by as this time last season but, for the first time in months, Strachan now has three fully-fit strikers to choose from, which should help.

Mick talk is loony Toons

IT used to be that the silly season came in the long months of the summer when there was no football, but now we get it in January as well.

I saw that Stephen McManus was linked with a move to Newcastle last weekend, but I just don't think that Celtic would sell their captain at this stage of the season.

Winning the league means automatic entry into the group stages of the Champions League and that is worth an awful lot more than £4million.

It wouldn't make any sense for Celtic to accept an offer like that right now and I can't see it happening, regardless of who else they might bring in during the current window.

Catch-up slip-ups to hurt Gers

THERE will be more twists and turns to come in this title race, of that I am sure.

But, having been in the position that Rangers are in at the minute, I can't help thinking that their failure to seize their chances when they come will cost them dearly this season.

They had an ideal opportunity to put Celtic under real pressure by going top of the league on Saturday but didn't take it and, as a player who has been in that situation, I know what that feels like.

Celtic, by contrast, hit Hibs with two quick goals in what was a statement of their intent to hang on to their title. I still think they look vulnerable at times, but I reckon they are far better placed to win the title.

They have had their poor spell and need to start getting a few successive wins together now.

It remains to be seen whether or not Rangers have to part with a player before the window closes at the end of the month but, if that happens, it could also help Celtic out.

Cup rejig can renew lost lustre

I LIKE the League Cup but it would be worth rejigging it so that it was all over and done with before Christmas, as it used to be.

It's dragged out now and it's no wonder that both semi-finals are struggling to shift tickets. Fans have already shelled out for Champions League briefs and season ticket books, so it's easy to see why attendances are so low.

Playing the final in November or December would give it a boost because I always felt that winning the first cup of the season gave the winners a big lift.

It might also be worth thinking about playing the games over two legs or even away from the National Stadium. No-one likes playing in front of empty stadiums - not the best advert for the game either.

Celtic play 24 hours after Rangers at Hampden this week and I'm sure they'll keep an eye on the weather.

Any heavy rain over the next couple of days could mean the park is a night-mare on Wednesday night.