CELTIC'S transfer window business has finally kicked into gear with the club closing in on a £1.2million deal to sign Welsh hitman Ched Evans from Manchester City.

Chelsea's Morten Nielsen should also be tied up within the next few days, and a decision on a £2m deal for American midfielder Sacha Kljestan is also expected before he heads back to the States on Friday.

Loan bids for another couple of English-based players - at least one a defender - are also being stepped up.

The result of this activity will add a fresh injection of young blood to Gordon Strachan's squad at a time when operating in the transfer market has proved a real challenge for Scottish clubs.

And Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell today admitted this has forced the SPL champions to radically rethink their approach to recruiting players.

Lawwell explained: "We'll always compete in the transfer market where we can, and we've shown that in players such as Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras and Shaun Maloney coming to Celtic.

"But a new strategy was required and we're trying to find and rear other exciting young talent, at a financial level that is manageable to us."

Milan Misun, the 18-year-old Czech signing, fits with this approach.

Lawwell will not allow Celtic to be sucked into trying to keep up with the much-richer Joneses of the football world.

With many clubs over- exposing themselves in the most difficult trading conditions for decades, Celtic's prudence is designed to pay off in the long term.

Lawwell said: "The economics of football have changed radically in recent years.

"It had got harder and harder for Celtic to compete with the clubs from the major European powers of England, Spain, Italy and Germany, so we knew we had to try a different strategy.

"The top transfer fees and salaries today are pretty much out of our reach. But what we've got is a great club, a great brand, and 60,000 people coming to watch us every week.

"We've also got a decent chance of playing in the Champions League most seasons, so all of these are aspects we can sell' to a young player.

"At the moment it is the way ahead."

Strachan is working hard within the parameters of this signing policy, and is committed to developing the raw talent being delivered to him.

Evans - who, despite having five caps for Wales is still only 20 - will be another youngster who can be improved by the club, just like Misun, Nielsen, and possibly 23-year-old Kljestan.

But the manager knows there are no guarantees when dealing with youngsters and admitted: "Some of these players are gambles on our part. But I think it's an option we have to pursue."

Strachan has agreed in principle to allow Darren O'Dea to join Burnley on loan, but will want assurances about the fitness of John Kennedy before sanctioning the deal.