Former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs believes the Bhoys must start conversations with Southampton about keeping Mohamed Elyounoussi beyond the end of his current loan stint.
Celtic signed the Norway winger from Southampton on a loan deal in the summer and he has been a major hit at Parkhead this season.
The 25-year-old has scored seven goals in all competitions, and scored twice and bagged two assists in Celtic’s 5-2 win over Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final last weekend.
He is scheduled to return to Southampton at the end of the season, but Stubbs believes Celtic should start exploring whether they can keep the player beyond next summer.
He feels if the Norwegian carries on playing at a high level, Celtic must hold talks with Southampton and look to keep him at the club for a while longer than just until the end of the season.
Stubbs said on the Ladbrokes Social Club: “It is probably not a bad sign to test the water if he carries on [with his current form].
“If I am Celtic now, I would definitely be having initial conversations with his parent club and see how they progress.”
Elyounoussi was a fringe player at Southampton last season and made just eight starts, despite the Saints having forked out £16m to sign him from FC Basel.
