McManus issues ‘brutal’ Moritz Jenz verdict as Celtic predicted to sign replacement ‘soon’
Mortiz Jenz was never going to be a Celtic success after struggling whenever the club came up against quality opposition.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the defender’s short Hoops career.
On 27 January, Celtic confirmed that Jenz’s loan had been terminated and that he had joined Schalke on loan until the end of the season.
The 30-year-old centre-back made 19 appearances for Ange Postecoglou in the first half of the season with all but one of those outings coming from the start,
However, his last league appearance for the Bhoys came on 12 November as he was then frozen out of the side.
McManus is not surprised to see Jenz leave.
“I was never really convinced by him to be brutally honest with you,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“He was ok in domestic football but Celtic are never really tested when they play domestically, you sit back there with your slippers on if you are a defender.
“In those European games, I thought he looked out of his depth. He was ok as a stop-gap but I don’t think he was ever going to be a genuine long-term option.
“They have signed Kobayashi this month and he joins Starfelt and Carter-Vickers so there is a bit of depth there for Celtic in the second half of the season, someone else could come in too but that would have to happen soon.
“They are covered really. I don’t think Jenz was a success, unfortunately.
“It happens, he’s gone off to Schalke and you just wish him all the best.
“Hopefully he can go there and impress and maybe earn himself a permanent move away from Lorient.”
In other news, McManus has told Celtic fans to get excited about Hyeongyu Oh after what he’s seen