Middlesbrough are launching a mega bucks bid for Celtic trio Scott McDonald, Barry Robson and Gary Caldwell. The Sun says Boro boss Gordon Strachan plans a £6million triple raid on his old club Celtic.

Boro have won just twice in 10 games under Strach and he is desperate to beef up his squad in January.

Boro could have a strike-force with a combined age of just 35 against Manchester City on Saturday.

Leroy Lita is banned and Jeremie Aliadiere injured while Marcus Bent and Dave Kitson have both ended their loan spells.

So Strach may turn to Jonathan Franks and Luke Williams in the Cup clash.

Franks, 19, made his first start at Barnsley while sub Williams became Boro's youngest player since 1905 at 16 years five months when he went on.