FORMER Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes Nadir Ciftci could go on to become a real asset for Ronny Deila’s men ... but only if he learns to screw the nut.

The £1.5million summer signing from Dundee United will miss the first six league games of the season as a punishment for biting Dundee’s Jim McAlister on the leg in a derby match towards the end of last season.

He was also at the heart of the rammy that marred the Scottish Cup-tie between United and Celtic at Tannadice.

Ciftci, though, is still available for European games and is expected to get the nod to start against Qarabag this evening in the home leg of the teams’ Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Sutton, who spent six years at Celtic, can see similarities between himself and Ciftci, but warned that the Turk would need to show some restraint or face lengthy spells stuck in the stand.

Sutton, BT Sport’s Scottish football analyst, said: “There are question marks over his temperament.

“He seems to be quite a likeable boy, but you can imagine him going into games and opponents trying to wind him up.

“But if I was him I’d be thinking it’s a wonderful opportunity at Celtic.

“You can’t take that edge away from his game. Other players need to protect him, too.

“Certainly, once the ball has gone he has to think “don’t hit, bite, punch or kick anyone”. There are limits aren’t there? People see red mist at times. He seems to have done it too much.

“Players around him need to be quite cute and smart when they see situations occurring.

“Scott Brown is someone who plays on the edge as well, but as a captain he maybe needs to step in.

“If you know there are going to be flashpoints you need other players around thinking as soon as anything happens jump in and keep them away.

“Ciftci is what he is but I just think he has to think about the way he acts.

“If Celtic are down to ten men after 15 minutes tonight due to him reacting that’s a problem.”

THE Azerbaijani champions may not be a giant of the European scene, but Sutton believes they will cause Celtic more than a few problems and that a goalless draw in the first leg wouldn’t be the worst result in the world to take to Baku for the return next week.

He added: “It’s going to be a tough tie against Qarabag. I don’t think Celtic will underestimate them in any way.

“Look at the results they’ve had – they beat Salzburg in a one-off game, beat Dnipro and knocked out FC Twente, so it’s going to be hard.

“Tonight is critical but I think it will go to the second leg. I don’t think Celtic will roll them over easily. Keeping a clean sheet is key. If you go away from home after a 1-1 it’s a totally different game.”

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