Former Scotland striker Frank McAvennie has delivered a damning verdict on the future of Celtic forward Albian Ajeti. 

The lowdown: Flattered to deceive

Signed from West Ham for £5m in 2020 (Sky Sports), the Switzerland international joined the Hoops having failed to score in 12 appearances for the Premier League club.

However, the 25-year-old had previously directly contributed to 63 goals in just 95 outings for Basel and was a Swiss league and cup winner during his time in his homeland.

After just nine goals in two years for the Bhoys, Ajeti now appears to be facing an uncertain future at Parkhead, and one pundit has suggested that the Premiership champions should cut ties with the striker during the ongoing transfer window...

The latest: 'Out the door'

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie - himself a former Hoops' hitman - delivered a scathing verdict on the prospects of the 11-cap Swiss ace forging a role in Ange Postecoglou's plans.

He said: “They really have to get someone out the door. For me, boys like Ajeti. He might be a good goalscorer but he’s not the manager’s cup of tea.

“I think the manager likes movement and he likes a lot of movement. He likes people to chase and that’s not Ajeti’s game.

”The last manager [Neil] Lennon didn’t really play him. This new manager has come in and it’s all about movement and everything that Ajeti’s not.

“That’s no disrespect to Ajeti, because he can score goals, but they need to get players like that out.”

The verdict: Cash in

The Lennoxtown ranks are well-stocked with an embarrassment of riches in the centre-forward department, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Georgios Giakoumakis, Liel Abada and returning youngster Johnny Kenny all capable of leading the line.

Ajeti's 17 fleeting appearances last season yielded just three goals and one assist - including a brace against Ross County in November at Parkhead - while he completed 90 minutes on just four occasions in a campaign which was plagued by a long-term hamstring issue.

Therefore, it seems unlikely that the Swiss attacker - who was described as 'intelligent' and an 'excellent finisher' by Neil Lennon upon signing for the club - will be afforded the opportunity to make a major impact next term. Selling him now whilst there are still two years remaining on his contract means that the Parkhead hierarchy could command a worthwhile fee for him.

While it seems unlikely that Celtic will recoup their expenditure in full for Ajeti, even getting somewhere close to his £2.25m market value would add money to the coffers in order for Postecoglou to pursue targets such as the heavily-linked Fausto Vera.