Barry Ferguson reckons trust would be the driving factor behind Eddie Howe bringing Richard Hughes to Celtic.
The former Scotland international is in the mix to become director of football at Parkhead with Howe taking charge in the dugout.
Hughes helped the former Bournemouth manager construct a squad that surged from League Two to the Premier League.
And Rangers legend Ferguson understands why Howe would want his old confidant alongside him if he is to taking on the considerable rebuilding job at Celtic.
Ferguson told Go Radio: "He's an intelligent guy and I think Eddie Howe would want him, because they worked together for so many years.
"When you've got a director of football and a manager, they've got to be on the same path.
"They've got to trust each other.
"Richard Hughes, I know for a fact, dealt with all the contracts and sourced players.
"That's the way he worked at Bournemouth.
"I can see the reasons why Eddie Howe would want Richard Hughes in.
"In football, you need trust and I'm sure Eddie Howe trusts Richard Hughes."
Celtic would need to negotiate Hughes' exit from the Cherries but Ferguson is confident he'd be up for a stint in Glasgow if the call came in from Howe.
"I played with Richard at Scotland, very intelligent guy - he knows the game inside out," he continued.
"He was the main man at Bournemouth. Howe trusted him to go and get players, negotiating contracts, identifying players.
"I can see the reason why he wants to work with him.
"Yeah (I can see him at Celtic) because he's done a really good job at Bournemouth. He knows the game inside out, as I said, and he was a decent player as well.
"He's obviously worked hard at his career to get himself into the director of football side of things at Bournemouth.
"I know he's settled down there but if a big club comes calling... if Eddie Howe takes the job I'm sure Richard would consider."
