CELTIC manager Tommy Burns finally had a success in his attempts to strengthen his squad of players when he signed David Hannah from Dundee United for a fee of #650,000 last night. The player signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and will be in the pool for today's home match against Dunfermline.

``We were looking for a bigger name, but we watched David some time ago and recently he came back into our thoughts,'' Burns said.

``I have spent a long time considering the right type of player to strengthen our squad. David is an excellent addition, a young, modern, mobile player. He's not what you would call a silky midfielder, he is the kind of guy who gets in among players,'' the manager commented.

At the age of just 23, Hannah, who has been capped 16 times at under-21 level, had been desperate to leave Tannadice for some time. A dispute between the club and himself over the length of his contract was about to go to the Court of Session.

``I am delighted to sign for such a high-profile club as Celtic and especially to be part of a squad of players renowned for playing a passing game which, I believe, will be very suited to my own style of play,'' Hannah said. ``It is a chance to relaunch my career and concentrate on football rather than my contract situation.''

Hannah has recently found it difficult to hold down a regular place in the United team having, for obvious reasons, fallen out with the management. The move came as a surprise to the player who was only told about Celtic's interest, and that the clubs had agreed a fee, at lunchtime yesterday.

``I made my mind up on the way down from Dundee. This is a great opportunity for me to play with a number of international-class players.''

While the move is a breakthrough for Burns in his quest for new players, it may not satisfy the craving for a high-profile signing which many of his supporters have.

``I have looked for top-level players but when they are not available you look to strengthen the side in other ways,'' Burns said.

Hannah is clearly perceived by the Celtic manager as a pool player who could mature into something more.

However the signing of Hannah is received, Burns has a record as a shrewd operator in the transfer market as previous signings like that of Jackie McNamara, shows. He has had few failures.

``I have to commend Tommy Burns for not rushing into the transfer market just because money was made available,'' said Celtic's managing director, Fergus McCann.

Nonetheless, Burns will still be under pressure to make another signing of a more significant name. The management at Celtic insist they are still trying. ``If the player is right and the deal is right then resources will be made available,'' McCann said.

``It is not a question of him being given a big pile of money and being told to go out and spend it. Running a football club is like a jigsaw puzzle which changes every week, with players injured, players unhappy, wanting to leave, or wanting to come to the club,'' McCann said.

Hannah certainly appeared delighted with his move, although there is bound to be some mischievous talk about where previous allegiances lay.

He was famously photographed in a Rangers jersey as he celebrated Dundee United's Scottish Cup win over them in 1994.

``All I am saying is that I used to get lifted over at Airdrie as a boy,'' Hannah said. That might not satisfy everybody, but those unhappy with it should remember what can happen when a player signs for the only club he has ever wanted to play for.

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