Chris Sutton reckons Celtic can outgun Rangers to the £5m signing of Motherwell sensation Lennon Miller - even though the 18-year-old wouldn't be a first-team pick at Parkhead.

And while the pundit feels this show of force would strike an important title race blow, he's also keen it's not part of a double move that sees Nicolas Kuhn depart.

The German has been in stunning form and recently grabbed two goals against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

That level of performance has seen the winger touted for a big move, but Sutton insists even a £30m bid would only be "food for thought" and the time isn't right to cash in

He told the Daily Record: "It would make sense for Celtic to make a move for Lennon Miller in January – but there would be none whatsoever in cashing in on Nicolas Kuhn. You know it’s international week when fans start filling the void with transfer talk and all these what-ifs. But there’s also no smoke without fire and there’s been plenty of heat around Motherwell’s prized asset and Celtic’s player of the season so far. In terms of Miller. I can understand where people are coming from. He’s clearly a top prospect and arguably the best young player in Scotland. Of course Celtic will know all about him. They would be silly not to be keeping tabs on him.

"Miller has played more than 50 games for Motherwell and has been a stand out in most of them. There was an impressive performance against Celtic recently in there too – and that will not have gone unnoticed by Brendan Rodgers. The issue for Miller – and Celtic – is whether he’d get in the team right now. You’ve got to say that wouldn’t be the case. You look at Luke McCowan. I think he’s done superbly well since arriving from Dundee and he looks every inch a Celtic player. But you could argue he’s fifth in line for a midfielder slot at the moment – with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo all in front of him. Is Miller going to nudge any of them out right now? Unlikely.

"He’s definitely one for the future though. There have been various numbers banded around and it seems £5m might be the figure. That might sound a lot for a development player but it’s not really. Celtic can afford it – and they could blow Rangers out of the water if they fancy a look at the youngster. There’s no way they are going to pay that kind of dosh for a prospect, even if they did get burned with the Lewis Ferguson situation. There was a player they could have snapped up for a song but is now way beyond their means.

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"Miller might go down a similar route and Celtic might think now’s the time to get him rather than miss the boat and get priced out down the line. It’s not really a burning issue for Rodgers and the Parkhead board right now – and neither should Kuhn’s future. Like Miller, it’s no surprise to hear about interest in the winger from England and beyond. Kuhn’s made a superb start to the season and performances in the Champions League like his display against RB Leipzig will have plenty of clubs taking notice. We’re not even halfway through the season but it’s not inconceivable there will be concrete interests in January. What is inconceivable is Celtic allowing him to go at that stage.

"Listen, I understand money talks and if a head-spinning £30m offer comes in, then it will give food for thought. But Celtic are in a strong position and under no pressure to sell. Money is already pouring in from all angles and even every point in Europe is adding to the coffers. They will be in no hurry – and neither should Kuhn be. I can’t say I know him personally but he seems to have a smart head on his shoulders. He’s at a big club, he’s playing in the Champions League and he’s in the form of his life. Why risk that at this point? Kuhn will know there will be a time when Celtic will cash in and agree to let him go."