The Celtic player could excel for Sunderland in the Championship.
Sunderland manager David Moyes will not know exactly what players to identify in terms of summer transfers until he has seen out the season at the Stadium of Light.
After all, much will depend on whether the Black Cats can, against the odds, maintain their top flight status for another year or if they will be facing at least one season in the second tier.
If it is the latter, Sunderland may be wise to consider a move for a Celtic player who has struggled for game time since Brendan Rodgers took charge of the Bhoys.
Gary Mackay-Steven could add some additional width to a Sunderland side short on out-and-out wingers and, at 26, he would be arriving at the club when he should be playing the most consistent football of his career.
With only 10 goals and 11 assists in 61 matches for Celtic since making the move from Dundee United, Mackay-Steven has never really lived up to his potential. However he has the attributes to be a success at Sunderland if Moyes – or whoever is in charge next season – takes a chance.
Given that his contract will have only 18 months to run in the summer, he could also be available for a knock-down price and he could be the kind of player Sunderland can realistically target as they bid to make an instant return to the Premier League.
Considering how Celtic have fared without him, there are unlikely to be too many disappointed fans if he does move on.
There is still plenty of football to be played this season and Sunderland could yet fight clear of the bottom three, but it is looking bleak and it will be interesting to see if the Black Cats can copy their fierce Tyne-Wear rivals if they do make the unwelcome drop.
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