Expert: Celtic to complete signing of 'next Scott Brown'

Frank McAvennie has tipped Celtic to sign "the next Scott Brown" this summer to give them the edge in Champions League matches.

The former Hoops hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claims a midfield "hardman" should be the club's priority in the transfer market this summer.

Celtic will return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign after winning the Scottish Premiership title.

The Hoops summer business is already underway with The Scottish Sun (10 May) reporting the club is close to completing the signing of Hammarby defender Mohanad Jeahze, 25.

McAvennie insists the club's priority should be replacing Scott Brown, who left the club at the end of the 2020-21 season.

"I think Celtic are missing a hardman in that midfield," McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.

"Someone in the mould of Scott Brown. Someone who everyone hates playing against but you love having in your team.

"I thought James McCarthy was going to be that guy but he hasn't really had a look in this season.

"If I was going to pick one place to improve, that's what I would do.

"I know we have a lot of midfielders and there will be a lot of competition there next season.

"But I just think a new Scott Brown-like player would just give us that edge against some of the better teams in Europe.

"Someone who will rattle the opposition if they get on top. That's what we need."

In other news, pundit expects Celtic to sell big-name player this summer.