FORMER Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas reckons that his old club need to do everything they possibly can to keep a hold of Scotland internationalist Ryan Christie - even if that means selling one or two fringe players to keep the books balanced at Parkhead.

Christie, 26, is out of contract in January and is free to speak to interested clubs ahead of a potential move.

But the playmaker showed his class in Sunday's 6-0 demolition of Dundee, setting up three goals for his side - including a wonderful through ball that caught out the Dark Blues defence for Kyogo Furuhashi's third.

Speaking in the aftermath of the Premiership fixture, manager Ange Postecoglou admitted that only Christie can determine the next step of his career.

Nicholas believes that the Hoops need to push the boat out to convince the fomrer Inverness player to commit his future to the Parkhead club - even if that means fringe players such as Ismaila Soro or Leigh Griffiths need to be moved on.

"Celtic must raise the funds to keep Ryan Christie - even if it means selling other players to do so," Nicholas wrote in his Daily Express column.

"Hat-trick hero Kyogo Furuhashi got all the headlines after last weekend's 6-0 win over Dundee but Christie was the main man with his passing and pace.

Glasgow Times:

"Christie is in the final year of his contract but rather than trying to cash in on him now for, say, £5million, Celtic should push the boat out to get him tied down to a new deal because it would cost a lot more to replace him.

"There is talk that the club will make him a new offer but why didn't they do that weeks ago?

"If it comes down to it, they should sell Leigh Griffiths or Ismaila Soro to fund his wages."

Nicholas added that he feels encouraged by the Hoops' progress under Postecoglou, predicting that the Glasgow club will see off Europa League opponents Jablonec on Thursday to book their place in the next roud of qualifying.

He explained: "It was a very good week for manager Ange Postecoglou and the level of opposition his side faced came at a good time for them.

"Jablonec were poor but Celtic got the win they needed in the Czech Republic and followed it up with a 6-0 thrashing of Dundee.

"I hope the manager sticks with his attacking policy. It is the way Celtic should play.

"It was good to see it spark in front of their fans and it helps build momentum.

Glasgow Times:

"Furuhashi scored a lovely hat-trick and already looks like a good addition.

"The team still has problems at the back and they will take a few months to sort.

"But I would expect them to see off Jablonec with another victory on Thursday."