McManus could be sold, admits Strachan

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Gordon Strachan, the Celtic manager, has said that every player is for sale at the right price – including the captain Stephen McManus.

The manager is in no hurry to lose any of his key players this month, but accepts that the Scottish champions are no different from any other club in the current financial climate.

They may not be in the same position as Old Firm rivals Rangers, who have admitted they need to off-load one of their star players in this transfer window to balance the books.

But, if a substantial offer is made for one of their players, Celtic may find themselves in a position where they cannot afford to say no. "If Kaka is for sale, then Mick is for sale, trust me," Strachan said. "I wouldn't like to give you that 'no one is for sale' rubbish.

"We all say that but, if Kaka is for sale, then anybody is for sale. It's a question that should be redundant now. If someone knocked on the door with an offer of £30m for one of my players, I would say 'there's the door'."

McManus has been linked with a move to Newcastle United but Strachan insists no cash offers have been made for any of his players. "When we asked about a player, there was an enquiry about someone from our place to go on loan for about six months," he said. "But that's not going to happen. There have been no bids."

Strachan believes the worldwide recession has crippled the transfer market this month, adding: "It's a dead market in Scotland. I think everybody is scared of what is going to happen next year. No one is taking a chance. I think we are all playing poker, seeing who is bluffing and who isn't."

The Cardiff City manager Dave Jones claims that he has spoken to Strachan about Willo Flood, revealing: "Celtic thought Willo was Dundee United's player, so they approached them first. Now Gordon has come to us, but no bid has been made."

But the Celtic manager refused to be drawn on a potential move for the midfielder, who has been on loan at Dundee United since 2007. "There are just rumours," he said. "Dundee United are a club that I admire and respect and they have a lot of good players."

Strachan is painfully aware of just how good United have been this season, having failed to register a win against Craig Levein's men this term as they prepare to face each other in tomorrow evening's Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final.

"We were pleased with our performance against Hibs at the weekend and so we should be," Strachan said. "But we are very aware that we are playing against a team who we have not beaten this year. It's a test for everyone who plays against Dundee United. They have a good team spirit, good players and they are well organised."