Dundee United manager Peter Houston has urged Johnny Russell to pledge his future to the club for another 18 months.
The Scotland Under-21 star capped a fine performance with a stunning goal as United beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-0.
Celtic are among a number of clubs watching the striker but Houston has called on him to stay at Tannadice for the time being.
“Johnny will develop into a player but he is not ready to move on,” said Houston.
“He should stay here for another year to 18 months and then I won’t hold him back.
“He will attract interest. Celtic spoke to us in January about him but he is not ready for that yet.
“When he is ready, I will be the first to shake his hand and push him on. But he is still learning just now.
“He works hard but he also makes mistakes. He has lots to learn but in 18 months he will probably move on.”
Goals from John Rankin, Scott Robertson and Russell sealed a convincing win for United over the Highlanders.
United are now unbeaten in six Clydesdale Bank Premier League games and moved above Hearts and St Johnstone into fourth.
Houston said: “It was a massive three points but I didn’t think we were at our best. We can play much better.
“The clean sheet pleases me the most. We are working very hard on that and the boys are doing well.
“Overall, the players worked hard and I was delighted to get the win. I can’t ask for more from them.
“We look dangerous in attack and we are solid at the back. There is a confidence and the players are expressing themselves.”
Inverness boss Terry Butcher criticised his side for poor finishing and sloppy defending.
Billy McKay wasted good chances in either half and Butcher believes their hopes of a top-six finish are over.
He said: “The top six is gone now and there’s no point even thinking about.
“We just need to try and salvage what we can take from the season. We talk the talk, but we don’t walk the walk.
“I’m extremely disappointed that we haven’t pushed on but we have five games left before the split and we need to make the best of it.
“The first half was even and they got a goal out of nothing. It was a great strike from Rankin – unstoppable.
“We conceded a sloppy second and it was the same with the third. It wasn’t a good day.”
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