Pundit Simon Donnelly believes Scott Brown will be a "huge loss" for Celtic as the club face a major summer rebuild.
Brown is expected to link up with former Hibs team mate Stephen Glass who has been confirmed as the new Aberdeen boss.
It would bring to an end Brown's 14 year tenure in Glasgow's east end with a massive overhaul on the horizon at Parkhead.
Dermot Desmond is looking to find a permanent replacement for Neil Lennon and a director of football with Dominic McKay not arriving as chief executive until the summer.
There also looks to be plenty of changes on the playing front with Brown set to lead an exodus of talent after the failed Premiership title defence.
Former Celtic striker Donnelly told The Celtic Huddle podcast he believes Brown should have been kept on past the end of his deal this summer to help steady the ship.
He insist the 35-year-old has leadership qualities that could have proved to be vital behind the scenes at Celtic Park.
Donnelly said: "It would be a huge loss, a huge loss.
"I think for the new management team coming in here during a transition, a period in Celtic’s history where there is going to be a lot of coming and going, I think someone with his leadership is so important around the club.
"On the pitch, off the pitch, everything to do with it. If he goes it’s a huge loss.
"I think he deserves the right to make that decision.
"He has achieved so much in his time at Celtic, if he decides to go I wish him well, but I’d really like him to stay another year at Celtic."
