Celtic told to complete new centre-back signing - McAvennie

Celtic centre-back Liam Scales 'isn't ready' to make the step up into the first-l team and the club should be looking to sign a new defender.

That's according to ex-Celtic striker Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, McAvennie admits that the 26-year-old still 'has to learn' but does believe he can come good for the Scottish champions.

Celtic fans were unhappy with Scales' perfomance in their 2-0 win against Hibernian on Sunday and are pushing the club to bring in a replacement ahead of a tricky Champions League campaign.

The Ireland international was a mainstay for Celtic last season as they secure the league and cup double, making 45 apperances across all competitions.

Liam Scales could still be a big player for Celtic

Celtic are looking to bring in a new left-back this transfer window, a position that Scales played to a degree of succes during his loan spell at Aberdeen in 2022-23.

Football Insider revealed (August 14) that the Glasgow club are looking to hijack QPR's deal to sign Liverpool youngster Owen Beck.

"He's come in and he hasn't let Celtic down", McAvennie told Football Insider.

"For me as a striker, I notice things and he gets too close to the strikers and if somebody gets too close to me I turn them, I can turn them easily.

"He's got to learn when to go close and when to hang off.

"But he's only young, he's going to learn but I do think we should get a good centre-back in to replace him.

"We've got plenty of games so he will still get a lot of game time.

"I just don't think he's ready for the step up yet but that's not to say that he won't be six months down the line, a year down the line.

"At the moment he's all we've got (Maik) Nawrocki keeps getting injured.

"He's a good player, you don't become a Polish international unless you're a good player but I still think we should bring someone in."

In other news, Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels has told friends he wants to join Celtic this summer.

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