MOUSSA DEMBELE has been warned against jumping at the first major transfer offer which will inevitably come his way and to stay at Celtic for the next few seasons.

Joe Miller, who spent seven years at Parkhead, insisted his old club was “perfect” for the Frenchman who has attracted huge interest from England and the rest of Europe following his superb start to the season.

Dembele has gone on record about his intention to remain in Scotland for the foreseeable future and Celtic’s financial situation means they don’t have to sale anyone even if they receive a record bid for the 20-year-old striker.

Read more: Joe Miller: Brendan's teams attack just like big Billy told my lot to play

Miller, who became Britain’s most expensive teenage footballer when he moved from Aberdeen to Celtic in 1987 for £650,000 believes the young Frenchman is a superstar in the making but that does not mean he has to leave any time soon to fulfil his vast potential.

"Celtic can keep a hold of him for a few years and I think that's best for Dembele,” said Miller. “It works both ways. Celtic need players like him to compete in Europe and it's why fans pay their season tickets - to see guys like him.

"They also understand that in the current climate; players do need to be sold for a profit. But I don't see why Celtic can't hold on to him just now. They are financially healthy, have good players and a good manager in Brendan Rodgers.

Read more: Joe Miller: Brendan's teams attack just like big Billy told my lot to play

"This is a great platform for Dembele. Celtic are developing under a young manager and it's going to be exciting for the next few years.

“Sometimes you can leave too early. You can go to a bigger league for bigger money and what you think is a bigger club. But it doesn't always work out. That would be my warning to him. You see some young players going for more money to a league that's too big for them.

"He's only 20. He has a lot to learn. Stay at Celtic for a few years and pick up experience.”

A huge factor in what happens with Dembele is that Celtic have given him Champions League football where he has excelled, and that earned him a call-up for the French under-21 side. He scored twice last week in a win over England.

It is true that Celtic in recent years have made huge profits from selling the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama; however, Miller used the example of a club legend who stayed around even when so many others were desperate to sign him.

“Dembele is playing in front of 60,000 in the Champions League, he's scoring goals and playing in cup finals,” said Miller. “He is only going to get better. That's how Henrik Larsson made his name.

"He played in a top Celtic side in the Champions League and achieved so much.

"Dembele is the real deal. He can go on and become whatever he wants in the game. He wants to become one of the world's best strikers and he has the perfect platform at Celtic.

"It's down to him. Celtic is a fantastic showcase for him by winning trophies and playing in Europe. There is no better club for Dembele right now.”

Miller played with a few good strikers in his time, the kind who could score a goal despite having hardly been in the game.

He sees that vital trait in Demeble who has 16 goals from 25 games for Celtic so far.

Miller said: "Dembele is not a player who gets involved in games all the time by linking up. He can maybe be out the game for a spell and then he pops up in the box.

"That's the sign of a top striker - a clinical striker.

"I played with quite a few of those types in my career - Duncan Shearer, Frank McAvennie. They wouldn't always be involved that much but when you needed them, they produced.

"Dembele is of that ilk. He takes defenders away and makes space for others. Barcelona will know that he's a danger and they will be watching him wherever he goes.

"Dembele is a really good player and for his age, he has the world at his feet."

The lad does seem to have it. Only silly money is going to take him away from Celtic and when he does go - hopefully many years from now

"Dembele is going to be a star of the future," insisted Miller. "He's justifying the hype. I watch him closely and his movement is fantastic.

Read more: Joe Miller: Brendan's teams attack just like big Billy told my lot to play

"Dembele can also take people on and has so much to his game. In the box, he can be a predator. He doesn't need to take two or three touches to finish things off.

"He's also got that knack of scoring in big games. Just look at the Manchester City match. That overhead kick wasn't a fluke.

"He knows where the goal is, he's made his mark on the game and he can play against the big clubs."

Joe Miller was speaking as the SPFL Trust launched it’s Legacy 2014 League Cup Funding Report, which revealed over 30,000 people have been supported by community projects across the country. The report can be read online at spfltrust.org.uk