Celtic boss Gordon Strachan ran the rule over the highly-rated 21-year-old last night as the League One outfit dumped Premier League West Brom out of the Carling Cup.

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Cash is set to be freed up with defender Bobo Balde ready to join
Birmingham today.

Celtic have been tracking Brown, rated one of the hottest properties
in English football, for some time although the youngster turned in a
subdued performance at Victoria Park in front of the Parkhead boss.

Spurs, Norwich and Wolves are also on the trail of the hitman who has
scored three goals in five games already this season.

It is understood Brown is one of three potential targets Celtic are
hoping to bring in before the end of the transfer deadline ends on
Monday night.

The striker has attracted a flood of interest over the past 12 months
although Hartlepool have made it clear they are not prepared to let
him go for less than £3million.

Last season Brown scored 12 goals playing on the right side of
midfield but his best position is through the middle.

Brown only recently put pen to paper on a new three-year deal but
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson said: "James has an ability to change
a game on his own and I think that's why he attracts so much attention.

"He is a massive asset - that's why we've put him on the contract."