Celtic agree to let Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson leave

Boro manager Gordon Strachan, who signed both players while in charge at Parkhead, will now attempt to persuade the Scotland duo to join him on Teesside.

It is also understood Strachan could land Willo Flood and Chris Killen on loan, neither of whom are in the first-team picture at Parkhead.

Middlesbrough yesterday confirmed they were in talks with Celtic over recruiting players from Strachan's former club.

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The 52-year-old, who quit Parkhead in the summer, said: "We are trying hard to bring in people who can lead and people who want to be led.

"I want to bring in leaders and men – that's hugely important now. I have to have people who I know, players I know who are men, who are leaders, and who know about playing at this level.

"There will not be any foreigners coming in this time, that's for sure. We have to add that wee bit of enthusiasm and knowledge."

Robson's Celtic deal runs until 2011 but Caldwell is out of contract in the summer and talks over extending his stay at Parkhead ended in failure.

Meanwhile, Celtic are running the rule over AIK Stockholm defender Jos Hooiveld, according to the player's agent.

Celtic could use the cash gained from the sale of Caldwell and Robson to fund a move for 26-year-old Hooiveld, whose agent Alex Kroes told STV: "He has had a very good last two years of his career. He is really going step by step quickly forward. Celtic is a bigger club than AIK."

The 6ft 3in centre-back reportedly visited Glasgow to tour the facilities at Parkhead and Lennoxtown.

He was part of the AIK team that recently won the double in Sweden and can play at the back or in midfield.