ANTTI NIEMI has taken a step closer to his move to Celtic with news that Manchester United look set to sign Fulham's Edwin van der Sar.

Van der Sar's agent, Rob Jansen, said: "The deal is done in principal. It will be finalised in a week.

"Edwin is very happy, it is an honour for him to play for a club like United."

Van der Sar is set to sign a two-year deal at Old Trafford once he has returned from international duty with Holland.

The 34-year-old won his 100th cap on Saturday as he helped his country to a 2-0 win over Romania.

There has been speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson would try and sign Niemi following the decision to release keepers Roy Carroll and Ricardo last week.

Ferguson attempted to hijack Saints' signing of Niemi three years ago after the Finn had already told Gordon Strachan he would come to St Mary's.

But the arrival of van der Sar means Niemi is set to return to Scotland.

Now Strachan, who is currently holidaying in Spain, will complete a £3m deal for Niemi when he returns.

Strachan has also been linked with a move for Kevin Phillips, as have Glasgow Rangers.

The Daily Echo understands both Scottish clubs are interested in the striker, and both could easily afford to sign him at around the £2-3m mark.

Despite winning the Scottish League title, the only frontline strikers Rangers boss Alex McLeish has at his disposal are Nacho Novo and Dada Prso.

Though Aston Villa have previously shown interest in Phillips, who is 32 next month, a move to the goldfish bowl of the Old Firm would surely be tempting.

After all, Phillips is still waiting to win the first major medal of his impressive career.

Millwall have revealed that they were the club who were interesting in making former Saints head coach Steve Wigley their manager.

Wigley was recently appointed reserve team coach at Manchester City, after which he said he had turned down the offer of a first team management role to join forces again with former Nottingham Forest colleague Stuart Pearce.

Had Wigley replaced Dennis Wise as the Lions boss, then it would have completed an amazing 2005/06 Championship comprising Harry Redknapp and FOUR other ex-Saints bosses - Paul Sturrock (Sheffield Wednesday), Dave Jones (Cardiff), Glenn Hoddle (Wolves) and Wigley.