Celtic have given the green-light for Stephen Welsh to join KV Mechelen on loan…
As reported by Scott Burns, the Belgian side have finally landed the 24 year-old centre-back who has been subject to a number of loan offers overseas over the past two transfer windows.
Welsh has made two appearances for the Scottish champions this season.
The first coming in a 5-2 win against Falkirk in the Premier Sports quarter-final at Celtic Park in September. The stand-in defender also featured at Tannadice in the Hoops’ 0-0 draw more than week ago following Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ illnesses.
However, an indication that Welsh’ transfer could be well down the line is that he wasn’t in Celtic’s matchday squad for Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash with St Johnstone.
Shortage of possibilities
Shortage of any possibilities of first-team football highlights a move to the Belgian Pro-League mid-table side is an ideal one for all parties. KV Mechelen currently sit 8th in the top-flight after 20 matches but remain only six points behind Anderlecht in third position.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Austin Trusty, Liam Scales are all ahead of Welsh in the Celtic centre-back pecking order. Subsequent of little interest in Polish defender Maik Nawrocki means that Brendan Rodgers is well covered in that area of the pitch, and does not require Welsh at the club.
A similar scenario arose in 2020 where Jack Hendry was sent out on loan to KV Oostende before signing permanently with the Belgian side a year later.
If Welsh performs in new surroundings, a permanent transfer away from Celtic could be on the cards in the summer.
Conor Spence
