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Celtic's Gary Caldwell answers questions during a press conference ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg against Arsenal, at the Landmark Hotel, in London, 2009. Wigan have made a bid to hijack Caldwell's proposed move from Celtic to Middlesbrough.

Wigan have made a bid to hijack Scotland star Gary Caldwell's proposed move from Celtic to Middlesbrough.

Caldwell, 27, had been expected to be reunited with former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Championship (second division) club Middlesbrough after falling out with the Glasgow club over the terms of a new contract.

But he could now be on his way to Premier League side Wigan after Latics chairman Dave Whelan confirmed that they had made an offer for the centre-back, who can also operate as a midfield holding player.

"We knew the lad was keen to work again with Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough but we wanted him to come here and made him a very good offer," Whelan said.

"You always think a player will fancy a crack at the English Premier League rather than the Championship."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has already signed one defender, former Ivory Coast international Steven Gohouri, and Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic in this transfer window.

Gohouri, 28, has signed until the end of the season after being released by Borussia Moenchengladbach last month, and is hoping that playing in England will help him regain his place in his national squad in time for the World Cup in June and July.

"It's a big challenge for me overall coming to the Premier League, but as a footballer I've always wanted to play in this country," Gohouri said.

"All the strikers in the league are big players and every week will be a new test and I'm looking forward to that. There are big differences between the Premier League and the Bundesliga, notably the intensity.

"In England that level is much higher and there are many more one-on-one incidents during the game, so I know it will be very hard but I'm here now and I'll have to work hard and challenge for a place in the team."

Martinez added: "He's a powerful defender with plenty of pace and we all hope that he's going to reach match fitness really soon, because he's not had that recently.

"As a player he's going to give us a different outlook and he'll be a great asset to have in the squad. He's got great experience, international pedigree and is desperate to get into the Ivory Coast squad for this summer's World Cup."