Former Manchester City midfielder Willo Flood looks set to join Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough after the Scot agreed a loan deal with Celtic for the Dubliner.
Flood, who has 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland under-21s, has reportedly completed a medical at the Riverside may be joined by Celtic club-mates Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson after the Glasgow club accepted bids for both from Boro.
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 Chris Killen on loan.
Boro confirmed on Thursday they were in talks with Celtic over recruiting players from Strachan's former club.
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," he added, as he plotted the loan signings of an Irishman and a New Zealander.
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, the Hoops 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. AIK still is a big club, they play weekly for 35,000 people.
"It's a great club, they won the cup last year, they won the league title but, of course, Celtic is another step forward in his career.
"If a move could happen and things become concrete, it would be very good for both Celtic and for the player."
He added: "[AIK] will never allow their best player to go on loan somewhere.
"If it will be happening, they will have to put some money on the table."
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.
