Celtic manager Gordon Strachan could hand a recall to Artur Boruc in Saturday's home match against Gretna.The Polish goalkeeper, who underwent knee surgery earlier this month, continues to be linked with a move away from Parkhead, with reports persisting in Italy that he is a target of AC Milan.

However, Celtic are eager to keep him in Glasgow and his return after almost four weeks out of action could not be timed better, if he does come back into the side in place of Mark Brown.

Celtic have the Old Firm clash against Rangers, who trail them by two points in the SPL, to come on January 2.

To have Boruc back, with a game under his belt for that potentially pivotal match, would be desirable for the Hoops.

Celtic have taken just eight points from a possible 15 in his absence.

Meanwhile, Spanish media reports last night claimed Sevilla defender Andreas Hinkel remains on Celtic's radar. According to Spanish sports newspaper AS, Celtic have indicated they will outbid Borussia Dortmund in an effort to land the Germany international, however the Hoops also have other targets and former Stuttgart full-back Hinkel may favour a return to the Bundesliga.

Gretna manager Davie Irons is about to lose a defender, with left-back Danny Grainger on his way to Dundee United next week.

Terms of the transfer have been completed and 21-year-old Grainger will play no part in the Celtic match.

Boss Irons insists he will not adjust his approach for the trip to Glasgow.

His side will be seeking to extend their run to four games unbeaten, and they have confidence in their ability to compete with the defending SPL champions.

That inner strength stems from the Fir Park clash with Gordon Strachan's side in October, when Gretna led the match 1-0 from the 37th minute but were hammered by two goals from Celtic in the dying minutes of the game to lose 2-1.

The pressure is again on Celtic to dispose of their bottom-placed opponents, but Irons' men are on a high after a series of impressive performances.

Gretna have taken five points from their last three games, with draws against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen sandwiching a victory at Dundee United.

Keeping their undefeated streak going might be a tall order, given Celtic are eager to keep in front of second-placed Rangers ahead of next week's Old Firm clash.

Irons said: "It is a tough game for us but we are looking forward to playing at Parkhead.

"We were unlucky not to take something from the last time we played them.

"It was tough to lose the game at the end like that but we are looking positively on this next one like every other match."

Irons will field largely the same side who held Aberdeen 1-1 on Boxing Day.

Striker Kenny Deuchar is certain to get another start, as his return to the squad after a loan spell to St Johnstone appears to have bolstered Gretna's fortunes.

French defender Aurelien Collin also looks like being selected after putting in a sterling performance against Aberdeen.

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