Celtic hero Frank McAvennie thinks the club should sign Mortiz Jenz on a permanent deal, calling him a "no-nonsense defender".

The German centre-back is currently on loan at Parkhead from French side FC Lorient and the Hoops have an option to buy clause installed in the deal.

He has made 19 appearances for the Scottish champions across all competitions this season and scored twice.

Despite the club also signing Japanese central defender Yuki Kobayashi, McAvennie feels Ange Postecoglou's men should be making it a priority to bring in Jenz on a permanent transfer.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: "I think he has done well. He is a no-nonsense defender. He just does what he says on the tin.

"He gets the ball and can give it to somebody that can play or gets it up the pitch.  He does not mess about and he is only going to get better. He has been in and out.

"It is whoever plays with [Cameron] Carter-Vickers at the moment but I would think Ange has got to strengthen the squad.

"I would give him a contract. I think he tries to cut out the mistakes. I like defenders to defend, I know the manager does not but I do so I would like him to stay.“

READ MORE: Celtic, Johan Cruyff and Callum McGregor’s Men In Black moment

Meanwhile, from one player who could be extending his stay at the Bhoys to another who could be set to leave.

Barcelona are said to be interested in right-back Josip Juranovic, according to reports.

The Croatia international has been the subject of increased speculation after he played a key role in his country finishing third at the World Cup in Qatar. 

Juranovic was a mainstay as Zlatko Dalic's side marched all the way to the semi-finals in Qatar and, as a result, Postecoglou’s team are braced for bids in the January window. 

Sky Sports now report that La Liga giants FC Barcelona are the latest team to register an interest with “two other unnamed English Premier League clubs” also keeping tabs on the 27-year-old full-back. 

Celtic have already signed Canada international Alistair Johnston ahead of the transfer window as cover if they are to lose Juranovic to an elite European club.