Celtic told to seal Balde-like signing as 30-year-old swoop readied - McAvennie
Celtic should not move to sign Motherwell's Declan Gallagher this summer, according to Frank McAvennie.
The Parkhead legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed his former club should look to sign a player "like Bobo Balde" instead of the 30-year-old.
TEAMtalk claim Celtic are ready to make a move for Gallagher this summer, with Aberdeen, Hearts, Cardiff and Barnsley also in the race.
The Scotland international will be available on a free in June with his contract at Fir Park set to expire.
The Hoops are expected to sign at least one centre-half in the next transfer window, with Christopher Jullien injured, Shane Duffy set to return to Brighton and Kristoffer Ajer potentially to be sold.
When asked for his thoughts on the potential arrival of Gallagher, McAvennie told Football Insider: "No, no, no, not for me.
"Has he played well this season? Listen, he is in the Scotland team so he is a decent player but I want a defender who wants to defend first and foremost.
"Celtic need players who will not just win them the league, but will take them far in Europe. They need to sign players that will take them to the next level.
"Gallagher and Welsh? That would not frighten me if I was a centre-forward. They need to sign an out-and-out centre-half, we need someone who loves defending, big time.
"I want somebody like Bobo Balde, he just went in and won the ball. That is what he was all about. No disrespect to the boy Gallagher but he is not that kind of player."