The next 18 months will be critical for the career of Ryan Christie.
His loan move to Aberdeen has certainly helped his development but where he will be playing his football next season is open to debate.
Christie’s Celtic contract runs out in June 2019 with big questions expected to be answered in the summer.
Wile he has become a Scottish internationalist and critical to Derek McInnes’ side Celtic have brought in Charly Musonda to compete with Tom Rogic for a key role in Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Duncan Shearer has watched Christie’s development from Inverness Caley Thistle to his present status at Pittodrie but feels that next season he could be playing his football in England.
“I don’t want to see anyone leave Aberdeen but if he was asking my advice then, if Celtic are going to loan him out again, I’d be looking down in England,” the former Scotland striker told the Press and Journal.
“I played there for 10 years and it’s a wonderful place to play your football. It’s probably the next step in his progression but if he’s happy at Aberdeen, then great.
“It’s a club with fantastic people and I’m sure he’ll be in no hurry. He’ll be trying to impress Brendan Rodgers and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s keeping an eye on the situation.
“He’s matured into a fantastic footballer. He always had a brain but now he’s grown in stature.
“If Scotland are looking for people who can play football and not just put a tackle in – somewhere along the line you need someone with a brain and that boy is only going to get better.”
Another stint at Aberdeen, permanent or on loan can be discounted with the big question being whether Rodgers thinks the attacking midfielder is now ready to play regular for Celtic.