Is Strachan about to enter Rat race? Romania ace sold on £4m Celtic switch

Just another day for Celtic fans trying to follow the transfer market, then.

Romania international left-back Razvan Rat is the man making goo-goo eyes at Gordon Strachan over a possible switch from Shakhtar Donetsk; Matteo Brighi the midfielder content to stay with AS Roma, while George Boateng's chances of rejoining former gaffer Strachan appear to be non-existent.

Winning admirers: Rat impressed many observers with his performances at the Euro 2008 Finals

Rat, who is valued at £4million, impressed Strachan with his performances at Euro 2008.

And, despite interest from Newcastle, Sunderland, Lazio and Bologna, the 27-year-old seems to have been won over to the cause by two Champions League clashes at Celtic Park with Shakhtar.

'Celtic are a great club and, if they were to make me an offer, I would certainly be very interested,' said Rat, capped 51 times for Romania.

'I have played at Celtic Park twice with Shakhtar and, I have to say, I have never experienced anything else like it. It's the only stadium that I have played in where I couldn't hear myself think. The noise from the fans was so loud.

'I really hope to have the chance to play there again. But, at this stage, I haven't been told of any transfer interest, so I'll just have to wait and see what happens.'

With Lee Naylor apparently on his way out of Glasgow and Hamburg full-back Timothee Atouba possibly priced out by wage demands, a new left- back is a priority for Strachan.

There are stumbling blocks, despite Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu announcing before the European Championships that he would listen to offers for Rat.

For starters, Shakhtar are financial giants compared to Celtic, Rat's agent Ioan Becali explaining: ' Last winter, Donetsk refused an offer of £4m for Razvan.

'They are a rich club and certainly would not intend to sell him below that figure.

'The player has attracted a lot of interest from British football and he really likes that style of play. But it would depend on the club, as he has more than two years left on his contract.'

Defensive midfielder Brighi, meanwhile, is another who has been linked with a move to Celtic as Strachan seeks to strengthen a spluttering engine room.

But he has now opened the door on a new contract with Roma, saying: 'There is a possibility I will sign a new deal although, at this moment, all talks have stopped.

'There are signs of a contract renewal. Only a few days ago, I spoke with my lawyer but I was told the situation is on hold. Clubs have shown an interest in me but we have not opened negotiations.

'The offers have been verbal but nothing more.'

The notion of Strachan bidding for Boateng, a player he initially worked with at Coventry City a decade ago, has become something of a regular during close seasons at Celtic.

But Sportsmail understands that the SPL champions are not among the three clubs who have expressed an interest in employing the Middlesbrough midfielder, with Premier League newcomers Hull City leading the chase.