Celtic star Stephen Welsh backed to finalise Serie A move - Hutton
Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has been backed for a move to Serie A.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton urged Welsh to follow in the footsteps of Aaron Hickey and make the switch to Italy.
The 23-year-old's current contract at Parkhead runs until 2025 but has fallen down the pecking order in recent seasons.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have been the main partnership at centre-back and the arrival of Yuki Kobayashi pushed Welsh further down the line.
According to journalist Stephen McGowan, as relayed by Everything Celtic (26 June), the academy graduate is a target for Serie A side Hellas Verna with Bologna also keeping tabs on the defender.
Fellow Scot Aaron Hickey made his name at Bologna after joining from Hearts in 2020 and progressed to Premier League side Brentford last summer.
When asked if Welsh should follow in the footsteps of players like Hickey, Hutton told Football Insider: "I would if I was him.
"He has obviously fallen down the pecking order at Celtic. Maybe Brendan Rodgers has an idea of bringing somebody else in.
"He has had enough game time but he is now of an age where he has to play week in week out. Do I think he is going to get that at Celtic? No.
"To go to Serie A where, defensively you have to be good, I think you are going to become a better all-round player.
"Working on it week in week out as well as playing you saw how much it improved Hickey so I think that is something that could help him moving forward."