If he bangs in 40 goals a season, his value would suddenly treble

PSG want a lot of money for Edouard the board are showing Brendan a real intent to keep one of the super-managers who’s very sought after at the minute.”

PSG could demand in excess of the club record £6m that was paid for Hartson and Chris Sutton almost two decades ago but the Welshman isn’t shocked their tags have stayed the limit figure.

He said: “Not really. The club backed Martin O’Neill and, over the years, someone would’ve said to Neil Lennon, ‘We can’t continue this’.

“We spent £20m on myself, Lenny, Alan Thompson, Chris, paying Henrik Larsson monster money, paying Paul Lambert.

“They made a decision they couldn’t go down that road any more, especially when they’re not successful in Europe. I’m not surprised,”

“They’ve still bought in enough decent players and they’ll not be wanting to get too deep in the red.”

Funds have been made available to Rodgers by the Hoops board though and Hartson hopes continued backing will ensure the boss stays put.

He added: “Every Celtic fan goes to bed at night saying, ‘I hope Brendan stays’. There’s only one who knows if that will happen and that’s him. We don’t know.

“I believe in my heart of hearts he will stay. He keeps reiterating he likes his job, he is in a good place, he can go in to Glasgow with his wife and have a meal and he gets left alone.

“He enjoys being Celtic manager. He is a Celtic fan. All his brothers are as well. His family all are. He grew up a Celtic fan.

“He says he is in his dream job. He keeps saying that. So I hope he stays.

“But only one person can answer that question really. The Celtic fans are hoping he stays and commits. He has a long-term contract.”

JOHN HARTSON