Strachan chose young duo over Riordan
Gordon Strachan has revealed he would have been in the hunt for Derek Riordan had he not already possessed exciting young talents in Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady.
Rangers missed out on the Hibernian and Scotland youngster in the January transfer window.
Some Celtic supporters are surprised their side were not fighting it out with their arch rivals but Strachan claims signing the player would stifle the progress of his youngsters.
Strachan said: “McGeady and Maloney are our left-sided midfield players this year.
“They have been outstanding so you have to watch you don’t cramp that up with people in similar areas.
“What you don’t want to do is get spooked into buying players.
“The money is not really there so because someone else wants him we shouldn’t say we want him.
“You want to make sure with a lad coming to this club you really want him and there is a place for him.
“He is a great footballer with two great feet and can score goals. But I am looking at Maloney and McGeady and I want to give them the chance to get going.
“We have also got kids coming up and I don’t want to block them.”
Strachan has signed Gary Caldwell and Kenny Miller on pre-contract agreements for the summer.
He admits he could not sign them now because of his financial restrictions which will continue in the near future.
“I would rather have those players now but we can’t afford the transfer fee that Hibs and Wolves had asked,” continued Strachan.
“People have to understand that even in the summer, I know what the budget is now and you can forget about huge transfers.
“We need to be self-sustainable for the future.
“It’s not like in England where you get ridiculous amounts from television.
“I know the budget for the summer and we have to find players that come within that wage structure.
“I look and see West Ham, who are not as big as us, and people find it strange we can’t afford Dean Ashton for £7m (€10.2m).
“My budget after 13 players had left was £7m including wages.
“So if we signed Craig Bellamy that’s all the budget gone on one player and I have to replace 13 players with a £7m budget.
“But I don’t mind because I knew that when I took the job.”
