Yuki Kobayashi has been backed as a better option for Celtic than Carl Starfelt.
Former Hoops star Frank McAvennie feels that the Japanese youngster has proven to be a good addition to Ange Postecoglou's squad.
The pundit has impressed with his performance in Celtic's easy 4-1 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Kobayashi partnered Carl Starfelt at the back in the game at Rugby Park, with Cameron Carter-Vickers rested on the artificial surface.
And Macca believes the 22-year-old has laid down his claim to slot in at the heart of Celtic's defence going forward, partnering Carter-Vickers.
He told Football Insider: “I like [Yuki] Kobayashi. He is left-sided, he plays great with Carter-Vickers. I think he is a better option than Starfelt.
“He [Starfelt] looks a bit awkward sometimes because he is not a left-sided player.“
After yesterday's game, Postecoglou said: "Outstanding first-half. The boys were brilliant. I thought the football, attitude and intent - it was a big game last week - was outstanding.
"The second half got a bit sloppy. It never got really into any sort of rhythm. A lot of stop, starts. But overall knowing the challenge that was there before us today, great job.
"I mentioned before the game I thought we needed some energy and I thought the guys coming in gave us that. The whole group in general came out with a real intent but they were brilliant.
"Tomoki [Iwata] was excellent in midfield, Yuki [Kobayashi], it is a big physical challenge playing here on that surface, I thought he handled it really well and it was good to get Haksa [Sead Haksabanovic] some minutes. So the boys who came in really did a good job."
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