Middlesbrough battle Celtic for French striker Giroud

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is locked in a signing battle with old club Celtic for French hot shot striker Olivier Giroud.

Strachan wants to buy the £2 million-rated Tours forward but the Glasgow club had a meeting with the player's agents in France last night as the chase reached its climax.

Boro hope that their superior personal terms will be better than Celtic's - and that he will fancy playing in England rather than going to the SPL.

However Celtic chief Tony Mowbray is making a major play to land tall target man Giroud, who has been prolific in France's Second Division this season.

Giroud is due to give his answer shortly, with both Boro and Celtic keen to have him in their side when the window opens in January - and as Tours are prepared to sell.