'He'll get you 10 points a season' - Pundit reacts to Jan update on Celtic £100K-a-wk target

Frank McAvennie has urged Celtic to make a second attempt to sign Fraser Forster in January.

The Parkhead legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, claimed he would have given the 32-year-old £5million to join the Hoops on loan rather than sign Vasilis Barkas on a permanent deal for the same price.

Forster, who spent the entirety of the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Celtic Park, returned to Southampton in the summer despite Neil Lennon's best efforts to resign him.

Football Insider understands that the Scottish Premiership champions face a very difficult battle to sign the England international in January due to his £100,000-a-week salary and Southampton's need for a quality back-up keeper.

After missing out on Forster, the Hoops turned their attentions to Greek shot-stopper Vasilis Barkas but the £4.5million arrival has so far failed to impress.

When asked by Football Insider if he would welcome the return of Forster in the new year, McAvennie said:

"I do not know why they did not get him because they paid £5million for Barkas.

"Listen, who is to say that he won't turn into a different class goalkeeper as times goes on but this right now is the most important season. You do not get time.

"Bain is a good goalkeeper but not that good. Keepers like Forster will get you 10 points a season.

"I would go and get Forster. They are paying a lot of money for Duffy anyway, they are up there competing wage-wise.

"I would like to see Forster come in sooner rather than later because it might even be too late.

"Forster may not want to come back but I would hate to think they were pinching over a couple of pounds. I am convinced that if he was keen Peter would have gone and got him.

"I would have rather given Forster the £5million than have paid for Barkas."

In other Celtic news, Whelan tips £8m+ signing after big January reveal.