ANTTI NIEMI'S agent has admitted the Saints keeper WOULD be prepared to speak to former boss Gordon Strachan over a move to Celtic.

However, Richard Cody insisted there has been NO contact between Celtic and Saints, despite reports to the contrary.

Strachan will officially take over at Celtic after today's Scottish Cup Final and speculation in Scotland strongly suggests that his first signing will be Niemi, who he snapped up from Hearts for £2m in 2002.

Niemi has also been linked to Manchester United again after they released goalkeepers Roy Carroll and Ricardo yesterday.

That leaves Tim Howard as the only senior shot-stopper at Old Trafford.

Cody said: "Antti is very happy with what is going on but in the same token they have been relegated and you don't know what can happen in that sort of situation.

"Things can change quickly. He 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."

Rumours have been circulating that the 32-year-old was in Glasgow for talks yesterday morning but Cody insisted: "There is no truth in that whatsoever. At this minute there has been no contact from Gordon Strachan or Celtic, I can assure you."

Ferguson, meanwhile, was keen to sign Niemi back in the summer of 2002 - but made his phone call to Cody just too late. Niemi had already agreed to join Saints from Hearts when Ferguson contacted him.

Niemi said: "Just after signing for Saints, I found out that Hearts had rung my agent telling him that Sir Alex wanted us up there to talk.

"Had Mr Ferguson been two or three hours earlier with his phone call I'd have gone."

Cody told the Daily Echo recently that Niemi "would do what was right for Southampton" this summer following the club's relegation. That could easily mean Niemi being sold for a fee in the region of £4m is what's best for the club.

Chairman Rupert Lowe has already revealed that players will have to be sold to make up part of the £15m shortfall expected next season.

Niemi's deputy, Paul Smith, has been linked with Sunderland but the Black Cats have targeted Ipswich's Kelvin Davis, 28.

"We've had an enquiry about Kelvin, there is serious interest from Sunderland," confirmed Ipswich boss Joe Royle.

HARRY REDKNAPP could step up his interest in Cardiff City centre half Daniel Gabbidon next week.

The Saints boss is known to be an admirer of the 25-year-old Welsh international, and showed interest in the player during his time as Pompey manager.

Cardiff have previously valued the player at around £3m but are £30m in debt and struggling to honour a monthly wage bill of around £600,000.

Gabbidon is believed to be the club's highest paid player and Redknapp could land him for as little as £500,000 plus one or two players from his own top-heavy squad.

Former Saints boss Dave Jones took over as Cardiff manager this week and instantly admitted that Gabbidon might be sold as a cost-cutting exercise