Strach's on a treasure hunt

Aug 10 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

CELTIC boss Gordon Strachan admits they have to rely on hidden gems to be successful in the transfer market.

Players such as Artur Boruc and Shunsuke Nakamura cost the club just £2.2 million in total.

Yet Celts could sell the duo for upwards of £10 million in today's climate.

It's those type of buys the Hoops gaffer would love to find as they continue to be priced out of over inflated markets like England and Spain.

Strachan, who was presented with a Clydesdale Bank plaque for winning three-in-a-row, said: "We don't have the money for players who will walk into the team.

"Andy Johnson was sold for £10 million. Even if I could afford that, is he better than what we have?

"We bought Boruc for £600,000, Naka for £1.6million and Scott McDonald for £650,000.

"That's what we'll continue to do but it's hard to get diamonds."