Transfer insider Dean Jones was left in shock when Celtic allowed Ryan Christie to complete a cut-price deadline day move to Bournemouth despite interest from Premier League clubs.
How did Christie's move to Bournemouth come about?
Scotland international Christie, who boasts 23 caps at senior level, joined Championship outfit Bournemouth for just £2.5million a matter of hours before the transfer window slammed shut last week.
The switch came despite Ange Postecoglou, who was appointed as Celtic’s new manager in June, wanting to extend the winger’s contract following an impressive start to the season.
Christie’s Bhoys deal was due to expire in January and, prior to linking up with Scott Parker's Cherries, the 26-year-old had also been linked with Bournemouth’s south coast rivals Southampton.
Saints were not the only Premier League outfit who raised an interest as Burnley explored the possibility of being able to tempt Christie to Turf Moor before Bournemouth won the race for his services.
Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake labelled the deal as a 'huge coup' after fighting off stiff competition from Premier League clubs for the winger's signature.
What has Dean Jones said about Christie's switch?
While he expected Christie to depart Parkhead during the summer transfer window, transfer guru Jones was surprised to discover the former Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle man had opted for a move to Bournemouth over linking up with an English top flight club.
He also believes the transfer fee of £2.5million will have left Celtic supporters disappointed.
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Jones told GMS: "There is nothing for Celtic fans to take from it when you see the fee is that low. At least if they were getting a bit more of a fee you can accept it, but I think that would have been tough to take.
"I'm not sure of the reasoning behind it but, from the club's point of view, Rangers kept hold of their star players and Celtic losing him for that kind of fee isn't a great feeling.
"There definitely were Premier League clubs having a sniff around and I thought he would go, but I'm slightly surprised that he went to Bournemouth for a low fee."
Why was Christie coveted by so many clubs?
Christie has joined Bournemouth having made an impressive start to the new season, scoring a goal and grabbing three assists in nine Celtic appearances.
In total, Christie featured for the Bhoys 151 times, racking up 41 goals and 44 assists along the way.
He also played a part in all three of Scotland's World Cup qualifying fixtures during the international break which has just come to an end.