Celtic have hit Stephen Welsh ‘stumbling block’ as exit mooted – expert
Mikey Johnston and Stephen Welsh have to move on from Celtic this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie suggested the pair will want more regular game time and insisted they won’t get it at Parkhead.
Welsh, 23, has two years remaining on his contract with the Scottish champions whilst Johnston’s deal runs until 2026 after spending last season on loan.
The 24-year-old joined Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes for the 2022-23 campaign where he made 31 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions.
Both players have struggled for game time at Celtic Park with the arrival of Cameron Carter-Vickers in defence pushing Welsh further down the pecking order and the numerous arrivals in attack making game time difficult for Johnston.
McAvennie urged to pair to move on this summer in search of more game time.
“Welsh is decent but he is not top drawer,” he told Football Insider.
“He could be if he was playing in the right team.
“Mikey Johnston there is no doubt he has got talent but I do not think he will get a game at Celtic. He would be a great player for someone like Aberdeen.
“I think there are a lot of players at Celtic that are going to leave.
“If I was Welsh I would want to play because he is a good player. Johnston is coming back from overseas and he will want to continue playing every weekend because he is used to that.
“But the money that they are earning in wages might be the stumbling block.“
In other news, defender granted permission to complete Celtic move and undergo medical.