Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths will reportedly earn the chance to prove his worth and could even spearhead the Parkhead rebuild next season.
The 30-year-old Scotland international has been a peripheral figure amid a campaign to forget that got off to a nightmare start when Neil Lennon read him the riot act over fitness concerns in pre-season.
The Daily Mail state Griffiths' camp believe a final decision over whether Celtic take up the chance to extend his stay by 12 months won't be made until a new manager arrives.
Eddie Howe remains the favourite to land the job on a permanent basis with talks ongoing with the former Bournemouth boss.
Griffiths could earn a Celtic lifeline with Patryk Klimala gone and Odsonne Edouard likely to follow him out the exit door with only one year remaining on his contract.
Question marks remain over Albian AJeti who has faced a battle to get into the squad nevermind on the pitch since a quick-fire start to his Celtic career after a £5m switch from West Ham.
Griffiths has been linked with a return to Hibs but his most pressing concern will aiming to force his way into Steve Clarke's Scotland set-up for Euro 2020.
A strong finish to the season will help and there are three extra places up for grabs with UEFA taking extra precautions ahead of a first major tournament during a pandemic.
