With Scottish football not immune to the deepening economic crisis, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan praised chief executive Peter Lawwell for his running of the Parkhead club. "Peter runs the club the way he sees fit," Strachan said.

"People will start appreciating what Peter and the directors have done over the last two years, now that you see so many clubs in danger elsewhere.

"Peter has secured this club's future, it is well and truly safe.

"I have no idea what the budget is.

"We just get together and say, 'Have a look at this player, or what do you think of that one?', and if it's something that the club can afford and it's an investment then they will pull out the stops to get that player.

"But if it is out of their reach, then we don't go there.

"I don't think there will be too much going on (this month).

"At this time of the year, it's usually loans or signings for the summer.

"The last three years, at this period, we have signed good players that have helped us to achieve what we set out to do.

"Roy Keane came in, then Paul Hartley and Barry Robson last year.

"They were not spectacular - apart from maybe Roy - but they were important."