Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has withdrawn plans to sign keeper Antti Niemi from his former club Southampton. Strachan made the decision after Saints chairman Rupert Lowe turned down a �1.25m offer for the 33-year-old former Rangers star.
He said: "The Niemi deal is finished now. I admire him greatly. I spoke to Rupert and made an offer but he refused it and I said I won't be back."
The Scot has now turned his attention to Poland international Artur Boruc.
Strachan's decision will delight Southampton's current manager Harry Redknapp, but may not please Niemi.
Redknapp had been concerned that Celtic were trying to get Niemi on the cheap.
He said Celtic would need �2m - the same Strachan paid to take Niemi to Saints from Hearts - to sign the Finnish international but Strachan is believed to have offered only �1.25m.
"Maybe they think we are skint after relegation but if we don't get the right money then we won't sell," warned Redknapp.
MMIX
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