Chris Sutton believes Ryan Christie still has a part to play at Celtic and Eddie Howe can rejuvenate his Hoops career.

The club legend pointed to the introduction of Brendan Rodgers to James Forrest's career which, at the time, was stagnating somewhat. The Northern Irishman is credited with improving the winger's confidence and skill level.

Christie, meanwhile, has been tipped to leave Glasgow this summer, with Burnley and Nice in France's Ligue 1 among the interested parties. But, should Howe replace Neil Lennon at Parkhead, Sutton says a promise to Christie could well persuade the Scotland cap to stay put.

"Christie was understood to be the subject of interest from Bournemouth a couple of years ago," Sutton told the Daily Record. "And we all know who the Bournemouth manager was back then.

“If Eddie Howe walks in the front door of Celtic Park and tells Christie he’s going to be a main man, it might just sway the situation.

“Remember the effect Rodgers had on James Forrest? The new boss made a point of singling him out and telling him how important he could be to him and the rest is history.

“Forrest reacted to that when he looked odds on to leave. Although it’s unlikely I wouldn’t completely rule out the same thing happening with Christie if it is Howe who does indeed arrive.”