Gary Bollan last night insisted Gary Mackay-Steven would be a terrific signing for Celtic, should he decide to join them.

The Parkhead club are about to hold talks with Dundee United star Mackay-Steven over a pre-contract as the race for the 24-year-old's signature intensifies.

Mackay-Steven, who has been a sensation at Tannadice since joining from Airdrie United back in 2011, is out of contract in the summer and free to speak to other clubs with Hoops boss Ronny Deila a big fan of the highly-rated winger.

And former United stalwart Bollan, who won a move to Rangers back in 1995, is convinced Mackay-Steven would set the heather on fire should he move to Parkhead.

Bollan said: "He is a fantastic talent.

"On his day, he is as good as anyone to watch with his pace and the skill which he has got.

"If you see a better wide player in Scotland than Gary Mackay-Steven, then I've yet to see him.

"I think some people said it was a bit of a chance when Peter Houston took him to Tannadice.

"But it's obviously paid off. He's been a great servant to United in the years he's been there.

"Wherever he goes, I'm sure he'll carry that on for his new club too."

Airdrie boss Bollan, who was yesterday named League One Manager of the Month for December, knows all about the red-hot pressure associated with playing for one half of the Old Firm and reckons Mackay-Steven's ice-cool temperament would help him settle into the Glasgow cauldron.

He said: "If you look at him on his interviews on television, he seems like a laid-back character.

"It appears that things don't bother him.

"So he's got that sort of mentality which you need at one of the big clubs.

"I'm sure he would take it in his stride.

"There is obviously pressure playing for one of the big two in Scotland.

"You are expected to win week-in, week-out.

"I suppose that is the expectation which is put on you.

"If you look at the fan-base, that's the big thing.

"They can take 4,000 to away games, which is a massive help to the players to get that twelfth man behind you."

Should Celtic land him on a pre-contract, Bollan is sure Mackay-Steven would still produce the goods for Jackie McNamara's men in their quest for honours between now and May.

Bollan said: "The value for Mackay-Steven between now and the end of the season would be more than the transfer value.

"I'm sure that's the way Jackie (McNamara) is looking at it.

"They'll want him there until the end of the season to give them that push.

"I've no doubt that any player who is playing for their club is going to give their best at all times.

"I'm sure Mackay-Steven will be the same if he does remain at Dundee United until the end of the season.

"He'll be giving 100 per cent to do his best for the club and the fans.

"United had another good result the other night at Hamilton.

"Looking at Jackie's comments, that's one thing they need to get into their game - more consistency.

"They're great home but results away from home have been a bit up and down.

"To be challenging for the title, there needs to be consistency in the away form.

"They're great to watch. If you watched them in the first-half at New Douglas Park, the movement and the way they passed the ball from middle to front was brilliant.

"They just need to do keep that up in their away games and show belief."

Meanwhile, Bollan has saluted his players for their efforts in December and insists they can kick on to clinch a play-off spot.

He said: "We've had an up and down start to the season.

"But for the month of December, we played alright and had a few good results.

"I think with the run we're on, people are maybe starting to take a bit of notice that we're coming into a bit of form.

"I think the curse struck on Saturday - you get told last week you've won the award - and then you go and get beat on the following Saturday.

"But it's good that people are taking notice and it's great credit to a good bunch of lads who are managing to get somewhere near to what they're capable of.

"It's a big game for us on Saturday.

"We're going to Dunfermline and they're favourites to win the league.

"Every game is a big game for us just now if we're to push to get into the top four.

"We're a wee bit away from it.

"Our aim at the start of the season was to try and get a play-off spot. That would be an achievement.

"We're on the fringes of it just now, but if we manage to put a wee run together like we did this time last year it would be great.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work and effort to do that.

"But we have got good players who are willing to muck in and roll their sleeves up."