Celtic hero Frank McAvennie has urged the club to make sure they sign 'priority' target Alfie Doughty - and warned Peter Lawwell not to penny pinch or risk losing the player to another side.

Neil Lennon is in need of a left-back after allowing sinner Boli Bolingoli to leave on loan to Istanbul Besaksahir. And the Hoops have identified Charlton's Doughty as the player they want to join the club as they seek their tenth league title in a row.

We told how Celts have already had two bids booted out by the Addicks as Lee Bowyer hopes to keep hold of his starlet. But McAvennie has told the club they must do all they can to secure his signature. He also took a subtle dig at the Hoops for previously 'shoe-horning' Callum McGregor at left-back - a decision which came back to haunt them as they lost to Cluj last season.

"We need that boy from Charlton," McAvennie told Football Insider. "Just go and get him. I wish they would just go and get him. I am not going to argue with Peter Lawwell as they negotiate hard over price all the time and they seem to get away with it. I just hope another club does not come in and take him away from us.

“I would like to see them get a left-back as they only have Greg Taylor who can play there. I do not want anyone shoe-horned in there because we have gone down that road before and players did not look comfortable. Another left-back is a priority.”