Wigan Athletic signing Gary Caldwell admits he told Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan face-to-face why he pulled out of a move to Teesside this week.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez had got his man with Caldwell making a last-minute U-turn.

Now Caldo hopes his old Hoops boss forgives him in time.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I did it face to face. I went to see him on Tuesday morning. I would never just have phoned him - that would have been wrong.

"He is somebody who gave me the chance at Celtic and I will always thank him for that. I respect him and anything he says about football I would take on board 100 per cent.

"It was really hard to do but he knows the game and knows what goes on. I'm sure in a few weeks I will give him a ring and see how he is. But right now I wouldn't like to say what his reaction was.

"He wasn't happy, obviously. Nobody would be happy with that situation, but hopefully when the dust has settled, he won't bear a grudge.

"The situation was I had a medical at Middlesbrough but hadn't signed anything. I had spent a few days down there. My wife was down too, and I got on very well with him so it was a hard decision.

"At the end of the day Premiership football was a big draw.

"The gaffer here never gave up. He kept phoning me and I was very impressed with him.

"In football I have learned that if you are wanted somewhere and you believe in the person you are working with, it is half the battle. That's the case here."