GLASGOW: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has revealed that the Glasgow giants are planning to retain China defender Du Wei beyond the expiry of his trial period at Parkhead despite his failure to break into the first team.

Celtic must decide in January whether to keep Du on a long-term contract, having signed him in the summer with a get-out clause that can be activated during the transfer window.

But Strachan said he was very happy with the centreback's progress. "He has been absolutely fantastic and is quite willing to wait as long as it takes," the Celtic boss said.

"But, with the way our defenders are playing, he may have to wait a while, which is good in a way because he gets to know everyone better.

"He has been settling in well and has been a great ambassador. We hope he stays. It is in January that we have to make a decision."

Strachan was speaking ahead of Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final showdown with Rangers and he also had words of support for his Old Firm opposite number Alex McLeish.

The Rangers boss and Strachan are old friends from their days as players at Aberdeen and Celtic's manager is only too aware of how quickly their respective positions can be transformed.

The Rangers have won just two of their last nine games and the team are 12 points behind Celtic and Hearts in the SPL.

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