CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has quashed speculation linking Emerson Hyndman with a permanent move north of the border after insisting he had no plans to sell any of the club’s rising stars.

Hyndman is currently enjoying a fruitful loan spell with Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers but was recently linked with a summer switch to their bitter rivals Celtic.

MailSport last month claimed champions Celtic – who thrashed Rangers 5-1 on Saturday – had already made “initial contact” with Cherries regarding Hyndman.

And the rumours intensified at the weekend when the Daily Mirror claimed Celtic’s chances of signing Hyndman may increase as Cherries were targeting Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney.

Playmaker Cairney was named in the Championship’s PFA team of the year and plays in the same position as both Hyndman and fellow Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook.

Hyndman, who was Howe’s first summer signing in 2016 after joining from Fulham for a compensation fee in the region of £750,000, has yet to feature in the Premier League.

And England under-20 ace Cook has been restricted to just four appearances in the top flight since his £7m move from Leeds 10 months ago.

American Hyndman has starred during his loan with Rangers, while Cook turned in an eye-catching display in Cherries’ 1-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday, his first 90-minute appearance in the Premier League.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “You don’t invest in young players to then move them on very quickly. That defeats the object of our model.

“We look to bring in young and talented players and develop them and make them better. That is a long-term process.

“We are delighted with the progress Emerson and Lewis are making.

“It is great to see Emerson doing so well on loan with Rangers and Lewis has performed excellently since being given his opportunity.

“They are outstanding young players and that hasn’t changed from the day we brought them in.”

Asked specifically about Cook, Howe said: “We really believe he could have a great career in the Premier League.

“It is great to see one of the young players we signed coming into the team and performing well.

“For everyone we recruit, there is a period where the players have to get to know how we play and understand our philosophy.

“This time of adaptation can vary depending on position, age and ability. Lewis is developing in line with our expectations.

“If he continues to perform like he has recently, he is going to go into next season in really good shape.

“Lewis played his part in the win at Sunderland, as did Lys Mousset by coming off the bench and helping to set up the goal.

“It goes to show that we do have young talent coming through.”