Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has opened up about why defender Mortiz Jenz was allowed to leave the club.

The German signed on loan with an option to by from Ligue 1 side FC Lorient in the summer.

However, he departed the Hoops after only six months in Glasgow and has joined Schalke in his homeland until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old played 19 times for the Scottish champions during the first half of the season, including in all six Champions League group stage fixtures.

And Postecoglou has explained the central defender's departure.

READ MORE: Will Celtic actually miss Moritz Jenz after loan transfer exit?

"With Moritz, it came from a discussion I had with the player. We brought him in because we needed cover in the centre-back area and that proved to be correct as both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt were out a different times.

"Having someone with his experience come in helped us. With someone on loan, it is all about asking whether they are going to play and whether are we going to sign them at the end of the season.

"I was keen to bring in Yuki Kobayashi and that came to fruition. Then it became a discussion about what was best for Moritz and we agreed it was best for him to see if there were any opportunities elsewhere.

"It is great he has found one and he developed really well for us. I think he enjoyed his time here and contributed well in the first six months but, for both parties, it was a good time to look for different opportunities."

Glasgow Times:

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