RONNY DEILA has tipped Celtic hat-trick hero John Guidetti to be a 'legend' at Parkhead - and potentially become the new HENRIK LARSSON.

The Manchester City striker took his tally for the season to eight goals in eight games as two free-kicks and a penalty helped sink Partick Thistle 6-0 last night in the League Cup quarter-final at Parkhead.

It was a masterclass in finishing from the man on-loan at the club until the end of the season, with Hoops boss Deila making no secret of his wish to desperately keep the forward in green and white beyond the summer when his contract at the Etihad expires.

When the Swede first arrived at Parkhead last month he cited Celtic hero Larsson, who netted 243 goals for the Glasgow club, and his iconic status as one of the factors that convinced him to move to Scotland.

And his manager has told SportTimes how he believes Guidetti has the potential to be a similar cult figure at Celtic like his fellow countryman - if he hangs around.

He said: "He's the best striker I've worked with.

"He's young, he's going to get much better and he will improve. I'm looking forward to working with John more.

"There is a long way to go for him to be like Henrik Larsson, but he's started well.

"John is young and will develop, if he continues that way he can be a legend at Celtic. Of course he can."

For that to happen, of course, Deila knows Celtic must first convince the Swedish Under-21 international that he can reach his full potential at the home of the SPFL Premiership champions.

If the Parkhead board choose to wait until next summer rather than try to tie him up early on a pre-contract - with a reported figure of £5million being the Janaury asking price - they will be up against stiff competition for his signature with many English clubs able to offer him a bumper salary.

But the Hoops manager said: "This relationship has been fantastic from the first minute.

"It's not always greener on the other side, and we need to think that something is good here. I think John is positive as well."