CELTIC should sell Leigh Griffiths or Ismaila Soro to fund a new deal for Ryan Christie, reckons Charlie Nicholas.
SunSport exclusively revealed online on Sunday that fresh talks have begun with Christie with a view to extending the forward’s contract that is set to expire in January.
The former Aberdeen man then proved his worth with an outstanding performance in the 6-0 win over Dundee with a hat-trick of assists.
A number of clubs are chasing Christie’s signature but former Hoops striker Nicholas reckons his old club would be mad to let him leave in this form.
And, writing in his Daily Express column, Charlie thinks the Celtic board should even offload fringe players like Griffiths and Soro if it meant drumming up the cash to keep Christie, rather than flogging him on the cheap in this window.
Nicholas wrote: “Celtic must raise the funds to keep Ryan Christie – even if it means selling other players to do so.
“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.
“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.”
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Nicholas believes Celtic may have turned the corner with back-to-back wins and hopes new boss Ange Postecoglou will keep them on the front foot from now on.
He added: “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.
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“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.
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“It was good to see it spark in front of their fans and it helps build momentum.
“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.”
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