CHERRIES boss Kevin Bond would like former Saints and Celtic star Paul Telfer to join his Dean Court revolution - and is hoping to persuade him on the golf course.

Telfer this week had his contract cancelled with Celtic by mutual consent and left Scotland to return to his home in Winchester for personal reasons.

The 35-year-old, who moved north from St Mary's in July 2005, had intended to quit in the summer but brought forward his exit as his family had failed to settle in Glasgow.

Bond worked with the experienced utility man during his spell as assistant boss at Southampton and the two men are both members of the same Hampshire golf club.

And although it is unclear whether Telfer will now quitthe game completely, Bond says he would be keen to discuss the prospect of the Scot joining Cherries.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Bond said: "I haven't spoken to him yet. I think the golf course is going to be as big a draw as anything because he's a keen and very good golfer.

"I know he loves his golf and maybe I'll bump into him. I'll keep making my way over and hopefully I'll see him one Saturday morning."

Bond added: "I like him as a player and he's a naturally fit guy. He's a real utility player, as we found during our time at Southampton. He will play anywhere and do a more than competent job.

"He played in the Champions' League for Celtic so if he's back in this neck of the woods and wants to continue playing, he is certainly somebody I would be interested in talking to.

"He's played for Gordon Strachan and all his players are fit and able. If he still has the ambition to continue playing then surely we would have to be interested.

"If he wants to keep playing and stay in this area then he's going to be limited. I'm not sure Pompey, Reading or Saints would be for him these days so hopefully that brings us into the equation."

Although talk of the likes of Telfer and Darren Anderton turning out for Cherries would have been unheard of in days gone by, Bond believes there is no substitute for experience.

"I think maybe in the past there had been a reluctance to sign players who were a little bit older, which is everybody's prerogative," said Bond.

"But while you can't fill your side with too many older players, a nice blend of youth and experience is never a bad thing.

"My recollection of Paul Telfer at Southampton is that there was nobody fitter than him at the club. As long as he's fit and able and has the desire, I would imagine he could still do a job."