This season has so far been a period of happiness and rejuvenation for Celtic and Ange Postecoglou.

They have swept aside the rubble of a disastrous 2020/21 campaign and now the Hoops are in a position where they’re having 72 shots in successive domestic games and winning six matches on the trot.

What’s the word?

The transfer window has also been a positive time for the Bhoys.

Postecoglou has welcomed gems like Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi to the club and they’ve managed to keep hold of Odsonne Edouard.

However, one man they are still struggling to keep in Glasgow is Ryan Christie. The attacking midfielder’s contract bizarrely expires in January 2022 and therefore he could leave on a free transfer in a matter of months.

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon delivered an update on Christie’s future when taking to Twitter on Sunday morning.

He said: “Southampton. Keen on Ryan Christie at Celtic. Burnley on the fringes of this. Christie can leave for nothing at end of YEAR. So a cheap deal possible by end of MONTH.”

Fans fuming

There hasn’t been a huge amount to get frustrated about from a Celtic perspective this season but losing Christie just as he finds form again would not be ideal.

At this current moment in time, the Scot is unlikely to sign a new contract and is heading out of the exit door on a free transfer or at the very most, a minimal fee.

Heading into the summer months, supporters will have been all too pleased to see him leave.

Christie had only found the net two times in his final 24 Premiership matches of the campaign and had been lamented for some woeful long-range shooting.

The £12k-per-week earned was described as a "laughing stock" by Frank McAvennie and his time at the club appeared to be coming to an end.

However, under the guidance of Postecoglou, he’s come back fighting.

The Scotland international now looks like one of the first names on the team sheet after putting in some excellent displays in the early weeks of the season.

He scored an excellent header against Jablonec in the Europa League and then put in a stunning show against Dundee. As Celtic ran out 6-0 winners, Christie picked up a hat-trick of assists in a mesmeric creative display.

All of the goals he set up were done so in stunning fashion too. He nutmegged a defender for one goal, Cruyff turned another marker for a second strike and then played an inch-perfect reverse pass for Kyogo Furuhashi’s third goal.

Christie has gone against the grain to become a vital player at Parkhead and losing him in these circumstances would surely enrage supporters who have already been so vocal against the board in the last 12 months.

Celtic desperately need to find a resolution to his future.

AND in other news, Forget Turnbull & Abada: Ange surely buzzing with Celtic gem who won 85.7% duels...