Celtic look set to allow Stephen Welsh to exit the club on loan this January transfer window. The Scottish Champions have received offers from KV Mechelen to take Welsh until the end of the season and it is expected that the central defender will be allowed to depart.
According to Record Sport, Celtic will allow Welsh to leave the club on a temporary deal as he looks to play first team football. Welsh has made just two appearances this season, starting in the recent 0-0 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice due to an illness in the ranks.
Welsh finds himself behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales in the defensive hierarchy under Brendan. While Welsh is above Maik Nawrocki, the game time for the ex-Scotland U21 International has been limited and he will want the opportunity to play regularly.
Since making his debut under Neil Lennon in 2020 away to Hamilton Accies, Welsh has made 68 appearances, scoting 4 goals and making 1 assist. Welsh was handed a few opportunities by Brendan last year but injuries unfortunately curtailed any hope that he had of really kicking on. It would seem to be best for all parties if the player were to be allowed to go out and play regular first team football.
Welsh is in the final 18 months of his contract and if he has aspirations to break into the Celtic first team or seek fresh opportunities, he will require a period of regular first team games under his belt to showcase his quality on a consistent basis.
Any decisions taken by ourselves in January, will possibly be with the longer term in mind?
Can’t see the situation regarding contracts, developing into another Taylor contract saga, with the will he or won’t he sign a contract extension?
Beforehand, a decision will have to be made as to whether a contract is even going to be offered in the first place?
Along with even if Welsh is even interested in a contract extension?
With Dane Murray waiting in the wings, it allows plenty of time for Rodgers to make a decision, that he thinks is the best for the squad position available between the pair of them for next season imo?
Think Murray might qualify as a B team player within our CL squad, so wouldn’t have any impact upon our CL squad whatsoever for ourselves either imo?