Don Hutchison tells Oliver Burke to sign for Celtic from West Brom

Follow us on Google Discover

Oliver Burke has scored four Scottish Premiership goals since he joined Celtic from Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion.

Don Hutchison believes Oliver Burke should jump at the chance to stay at Celtic beyond this season, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast (20 March).

The former Nottingham Forest wonderkid is currently plying his trade at Celtic on loan after big-money moves to RB Leipzig and West Bromwich Albion didn’t work out.

Burke has impressed for the most part, scoring four goals in six Scottish Premiership starts while adapting to an unfamiliar centre-forward role that looks to get the best out of his rapid pace and impressive physical strength.

And Hutchison, himself a former Scotland international, believes the converted winger is better off staying north of the border.

“There’s no need for Oli Burke to move away from Celtic,” said the one-time Everton, Liverpool and West Ham United midfielder.

“He probably wouldn’t get in most Premier League sides at the moment, not starting anyway.

“(Celtic) is a great place for Ollie Burke to try and improve, play well, and have an atmosphere and a crowd that are going to drive him on and a manager in Neil Lennon, or whoever it may be in the summer, that will drive him on to the next level.”

Celtic would love to sign the 21-year-old on a permanent basis, according to the Birmingham Mail, but whether they could afford him remains to be seen. Burke is West Brom’s record signing at £15 million and The Baggies would obviously be keen to recoup much of their investment.

So far, the youngster has started three games since Neil Lennon replaced Brendan Rodgers in the Parkhead dugout, though the 47-year-old is only in charge on an interim basis.