Celtic told not to accept Stephen Welsh offer after Sky update – pundit
Celtic will keep hold of Stephen Welsh this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton insisted the Hoops will be in no rush to move on Welsh, despite his lack of game time recently.
The 23-year-old, who has two years left on his Parkhead contract, is attracting interest from Bundesliga and Serie A clubs, according to Sky Sports (3 July).
The Celts knocked back loan offers for the defender from Toulouse and Udinese last year.
Now, manager Brendan Rodgers is analysing the squad following his return to Parkhead.
Welsh, who also meets the Glasgow giants’ homegrown quota, made just six first team appearances last season with former manager Ange Postecoglou favouring the centre-back pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt.
When asked if there is any reason for the Hoops to hold onto Welsh, Hutton told Football Insider: “Obviously the homegrown element counts for something but put that aside and he is a really good footballer.
“Whenever he has been called upon he has been very reliable.
“I think Brendan Rodgers will be analysing everybody in the squad at this moment in time. I do not think he will be in any rush to get him out the door at this moment in time unless a decent offer comes in.
“They are obviously not looking for loans, they either want him gone permanently or they are happy to keep him.
“Unless Brendan Rodgers sees something he does not like, he will probably not move him on.“
In other news, Brendan Rodgers’ stance on letting star striker leave Celtic revealed.