EXCLUSIVE: 'Croatia's Gattuso' Vukojevic could just fit the bill for Celtic as Arsenal wait in the wings

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The Dinamo Zagreb star has emerged as a target for Gordon Strachan after rating highly in a continental search for new talent.

Capped three times for his country, Vukojevic is an uncompromising defensive holding player dubbed 'Croatia's Rino Gattuso'.

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Looking to strengthen: Gordon Strachan is considering a move for the Croatian holding midfielder Vukojevic (above)

The 24-year- old confirmed that reputation with the crunching Hampden challenge which ruled Darren Fletcher out of Manchester United's title charge in George Burley's debut as Scotland manager.

Competition for Vukojevic, rated in the £2million bracket, could be fierce.

A former Under-21 international, the six-footer is expected to feature in the Euro 2008 squad due to be named by Slaven Bilic next month.

And Espanyol, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are just three of the clubs linked with the player in the last year.

After tracking the midfielder's form for some time, however, Celtic could creep under the radar before the European Championships after watching the player in last night's derby match between Dinamo and NK Zagreb.

Sportsmail understands the other positions Strachan wants to strengthen are left back and central defence, while a striker could also be brought in even if Georgios Samaras joins permanently from Manchester City.

That Strachan is already making plans for next season despite the alleged uncertainty over his own future is significant. Defeat in this Sunday's final Old Firm showdown could once again crank up an already intolerable level of pressure on the Celtic manager.

Last summer's £4.5m signing from Hibs Scott Brown is available once more after suspension.

In Brown's absence, former Dundee United captain Barry Robson has slotted into central midfield and helped Celtic to wins over Motherwell, Rangers and Aberdeen.

Strachan, meanwhile, has taken American Under-23 keeper Dominic Cervi on trial.