The boss hailed the 18-yearold as a potential bargain after agreeing a deal thought to be worth around £100,000 with Scottish third division title-winners Livingston.
He's hungry, he's 18 and he's cost us sweeties. Hopefully, he can be another player to emerge from Livi and go on to do well, said Strachan who has noted the progress made by Leeds' Robert Snodgrass and Coventry's James McPake since leaving the Almondvale Stadium.
After training at Rockliffe Park earlier in the season, Halliday, who scored 16 goals in 23 starts this season, was delighted to complete a switch to the Championship club.
I'm really excited about joining Middlesbrough and delighted that the contract is now all sorted, he said.
This is a club that has produced so many good youngsters over the years and I just hope I can do well for them. It helps that there is already a big Scottish contingent at the club and I know I am going to feel at home straight away.
A major reason why I wanted to come here was because this is a club that develops players.
Players like Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson have really flourished here. Although people describe me as a winger I often get mistaken for a striker because of my record this season.
I am mainly left-sided but I can play on the right as well.
I like to get forward and take people on.'' Halliday has also trained with Charlton Athletic and Italian club Parma but was in no doubt that a move to Teesside was his preferred option.
The Italian connection came about because Livingston used to be an Italianowned club,'' he revealed.
It was an amazing experience to go to Italy and experience a different type of football.
But my first choice was always Middlesbrough.
Everyone is very friendly and has made me feel so welcome.
I'm just sorry the season is ending. The squad is going for a training week in La Manga at the end of this month and I can't wait. I'm going to work really hard and apply myself so that I give myself the best possible chance.
Halliday is unlikely to be the last arrival from north of the border as Strachan continues to monitor transfer targets in his homeland.
Hearts left-back Lee Wallace and Dundee United winger Craig Conway are under consideration after Boro scout Gordon McQueen watched the pair face one another on Wednesday.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo