Middlesbrough are ready to make a bid for Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.

The Daily Mail says Boro manager Gareth Southgate has shortlisted the frozen-out Celtic winger as a potential replacement for Stewart Downing after the England international submitted a transfer request yesterday.

Any move by Boro would challenge McGeady's belief that he can land a top-five Premiership club and would be further complicated by Celtic's valuation of the player, which is understood to be £10million.

The Riverside club value McGeady in the £5m bracket but would reluctantly fund a double raid on the SPL from the proceeds of Downing's sale.