Gordon Strachan is poised to make Saints keeper Antti Niemi his first major signing as Celtic manager.

The former St Mary's boss was yesterday unveiled as Martin O'Neill's replacement in front of a massed media presence.

Strachan was asked directly about whether he was interested in signing Niemi, left, who he took to Saints for £2m from Hearts back in 2002.

"I'm not commenting on that - it would be unfair on clubs and managers to talk about players who are at other clubs," he replied.

But the Daily Echo understands replacing Leicester City bound keeper Rob Douglas is a priority.

The only other shot-stopper at Parkhead is youngster David Marshall, but he is one for the future while Niemi, who turned 33 on Monday, is very much one for the present.

Strachan could have a transfer kitty of anything between £10m to £12m to play with this summer - depending on the benevolence of majority shareholder Dermot so could easily stretch to £4m for Niemi.

But if Saints were to ask for much more for a player that is under contract at St Mary's for three more years, that could end Celtic's interest as Strachan needs to strengthen in other areas as well as in goal.

A Parkhead source confirmed: "Celtic are definitely interested in Niemi.

"Antti is a highly respected figure up here in Scotland - many people thought he never really got a fair chance at Rangers and he was excellent at Hearts.

"Gordon Strachan is not an overwhelmingly popular appointment with Celtic fans but he would appease everyone if he brought in quality players, and Niemi fits that bill."

Niemi's agent, Richard Cody, has said: "Antti knows Gordon very well and that's the reason for all the speculation.

"He would talk to Gordon, absolutely, because of the immense respect he has for Gordon Strachan.

"He really enjoyed his time under Gordon at Southampton and if that was the case he would be very happy to talk to him and Celtic about the possibility of a move."

Strachan remains keen to keep on-loan Craig Bellamy in Scotland but to do so would cost around £6m and a wage in excess of £35,000 a week.

Instead, the player looks likely to return to the Premiership instead.

Strachan has been linked with Saints striker Kevin Phillips but a swoop for the man he took to St Mary's looks unlikely.