---
title: "Celtic: Frank McAvennie hoping for a new defender"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-frank-mcavennie-wants-defender-transfer-deadline-day/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-01-31T17:15:52Z"
modified: "2022-01-31T17:26:17Z"
---

# Celtic: Frank McAvennie hoping for a new defender

**Celtic pundit Frank McAvennie is hoping that the club can sign a defender in the final hours of the January window, as per [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-told-to-complete-defender-signing-today-as-osaze-urhoghide-heads-to-kv-oostende-mcavennie/).**

### The Lowdown: Urhoghide set to leave

The Hoops have brought in [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-fc/transfers/verein/371/plus/?saison_id=2021&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w) players during the winter market, but none of those have been centre-back additions. Also, youngster Osaze Urhoghide looks set to [depart](https://mobile.twitter.com/YesWeCrann/status/1487886146487164929) on loan to join Belgian side KV Oostende in the final hours of the window.

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[Kieran Devlin](https://theathletic.com/realtime/cHneLWeMEQkf/) wasn’t expecting much when it comes to arrivals at Parkhead on Monday, but McAvennie – who often discusses Celtic matters with [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/frankmcavennie/) – is still holding out hope.

### The Latest: McAvennie’s comments

The former Hoops striker was talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-told-to-complete-defender-signing-today-as-osaze-urhoghide-heads-to-kv-oostende-mcavennie/) following the news on Urhoghide. He feels that Ange Postecoglou should be looking to add a defender, keeping his ‘fingers crossed’ for late activity, saying:

\[freshpress-poll id=”386479″\]

> “I do think Celtic need a new centre-back.
>
> “Jullien still isn’t back, and as good as Carter-Vickers and Starfelt have been recently, it’s the one place we lack a bit of depth.
>
> “There have been links with some defenders, obviously we’ve lost John Souttar to Rangers.
>
> “That’s the one signing I would really like before the window shuts. That would give me a bit more confidence.
>
> “I’m happy with the attack and midfield, we are well covered there. The defence does worry me a bit. Fingers crossed we can do something.”

### The Verdict: Not pivotal

Urhoghide has made just [one](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/osaze-urhoghide/leistungsdaten/spieler/491738) senior appearance for the Hoops this season and hasn’t featured in a Premiership matchday squad since [September](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/osaze-urhoghide/leistungsdaten/spieler/491738). Therefore, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if the club didn’t bolster their centre-back ranks should the ex-Sheffield Wednesday ace seal a temporary exit.

Postecoglou has plenty of options at the back with Christopher Jullien now fit following a lengthy layoff, so waiting until the summer could be a wise move.

***In other news: [‘Fans will be worried’ – Pundit thinks late £5m+ Celtic move will now go through](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/jota-celtic-transfer-latest-paddy-kenny-deadline-day/)***