Simon Ferry believes a Celtic return for Patrick Roberts is a "no-brainer" for both the player and the Premiership champions.
The 23-year-old is free to leave Middlesbrough after a frustrating loan spell at the Riverside under Neil Warnock.
Roberts enjoyed a trophy-laden two-and-a-half year stay in Glasgow before he returned to parent club Manchester City.
But the former England youth international has failed to dazzle at Norwich and Girona and still has 18 months on his deal at the Etihad.
Record Sport exclusively revealed that Celtic boss Neil Lennon will look to strengthen in wide areas with James Forrest not due to return until February at the earliest.
And Ferry believes the time is right for the Hoops to make a move for a player who still is still adored by the Parkhead fanbase.
Speaking on Go Radio, he said: “When teams sit in against them, it usually goes wide then back into the middle, whereas with Patrick Roberts you know that if he gets the ball he’s only going to go at his full-back.
“I think as many of those players that Celtic can get the better.
“I think he’s struggled anywhere he’s been. The one place that he’s found form is Celtic so for me, it would be a no-brainer for both parties.
“It’s down to confidence.
“You think of Patrick Roberts when he first broke into the scene with Fulham as a 16-year-old kid and he ripped the Championship up.
“He’s now gone back to the Championship four or five years older and he can’t get a game.
“These players think the grass is greener down south. Patrick Roberts wanted to go back down to England to play.
“But when you realise you’re going from a Celtic to a Middlesbrough, it’s a totally different level.
“I’ve no doubt that Patrick Roberts would walk back up here to play for Celtic because playing for Middlesbrough is no comparison.”
