Ex-Celtic star Joe Miller has encouraged his former club to break the bank to sign Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts this summer.
The 49-year-old has claimed that Roberts is a better option for the Hoops than Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes, who they have also been linked with by the Daily Mail.
Roberts, 20, has been on loan at Parkhead from Man City since February 2016 and he has become a firm fan favourite.
The fleet-footed winger was a mainstay in Brendan Rodgers’ side this term, making 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and supplying 19 assists.
Miller has urged the Hoops to forget their interest in Hayes and do everything in their power to sign Roberts.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, he said: “Hayes is a good player, Aberdeen’s best at the moment, and it would take decent money to shift him.
“But I’d much rather see Brendan Rodgers exhaust every possibility to bring back Patrick Roberts. I think he’s a brilliant player. Absolutely top drawer.
“The fans love him and are desperate to see him return for next season — and also permanently. It’s time for the club to say, ‘This boy’s a brilliant talent; let’s keep him and develop him even more.’
“Celtic have got enough money in the bank and they also know he wouldn’t be a gamble. Spending big money — and I’d even go £15m or £20m — would be well worth it for the lad.”
Rodgers has deployed the 20-year-old in a number of positions this term, seeing him play on both wings, in attacking midfield and even as a striker.
Roberts has played 60 league and cup games for the Bhoys during his one-and-a-half season spell at the club, but he is set to return to Man City on May 31 when his loan ends.
He has been capped by England Under-20s nine times, scoring four goals, although he is not part of the squad for the ongoing Under-20s World Cup, as he opted to play for Celtic in the Scottish Cup final instead.
The 20-year-old was part of the Hoops’ treble winning side of 2016/17, which saw them win the Scottish Premiership, the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup, as well as going the entire domestic season unbeaten.