Stephen Welsh told to quit Celtic by McAvennie after Sky update
Frank McAvennie has claimed it is time for Stephen Welsh to move on from Celtic as he will be “out the picture” next season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Hoops striker said Welsh, 22, shouldn’t settle for being Ange Postecoglou’s fourth choice.
According to Sky Sports (24 July), French side Toulouse have made an enquiry for the defender.
However, Postecoglou has said the Scotland international is part of his plans for next season.
Welsh has three years remaining on his contract at Parkhead.
When asked if he thought it was time for the centre-back to leave, McAvennie told Football Insider: “I don’t think he’ll be first choice, Stephen Welsh.
“But the manager needs a back-up, someone that he can keep rotating. I think the new player coming in [Moritz Jenz] will get rotated with [Cameron] Carter-Vickers and [Carl] Starfelt. So I think Stephen’s going to be out the picture.
“For me, personally, I would probably want to go because he’s seen another centre-half coming in. [Christopher] Jullien isn’t going to be about, but does he want to be fourth centre-half?
“The manager will give you time on the pitch but is it enough time? It depends what he wants to do. I know he wants to play for Celtic but if he’s not getting that chance because there’s players in front of him, it might be time to move on.
“I think that would be wise. For his own sake I think he should go. I don’t think he’s going to get any better than fourth place, he’s not going to be a regular starter or the number one choice.
“No matter how well he does from now on he’s not going to be that first choice because the manager has brought players in and they’re going to play.“
In other news, a pundit has tipped new midfielder signing to take Celtic ‘to the next level’ amid Sky reveal.