Stephen Welsh would have no hesitation in welcoming Erik Sviatchenko back to the club. The Scotland Under 21 defender was quizzed about the news that the Midtjylland skipper is being linked with a summer move back to Celtic Park – where he has unfinished business – on the day that the two sides were drawn together in the first Champions League qualifier of the season.
It’s a long and arduous task for the winners of this tie to make the groups stages, as both sides surrendered their Champions status in the Covid season.
“Erik was a regular when I started training with the first team and someone I looked up to. He was great player for us and he’s done well for Midtjylland since going there,” Welsh told the media.
“We know he’s a great defender and a big personality. He helped me a lot. He talked me through training sessions, spoke to me afterwards and just helped me with the basics. I was only 16 or 17 and he was a great help bringing me on.
“He’s also a bit trendy for a centre-half but he didn’t give me any fashion advice. Maybe I should have asked him!
“Centre-halves don’t really tend to be trendy but he was. He’s just a lovely big guy and an even better player.”
On the new managerial appointment Welsh told the fans media conference that he hasn’t yet spoken to Ange Postecoglou but has noted what the new boss has had to say about introducing Academy players into the first team squad where they will be given a chance. Music to the ears of Welsh and many of the younger stars at the club who felt that under the previous regime their opportunities were restricted to say the least.
“It’s a fresh start for everyone at the club. Is it an uncertain time? Yes, maybe. But I’m just focusing on the football side and trying to keep my place in the team. I got a decent run of games in the second half of last season, so all I’m thinking about is getting back and staying in contention to play this season.
“We need to take each day and week as it comes. There’s a very good squad here and hopefully by the time we face Midtjylland and Hearts in the league, we will be raring to go.”
There definitely seems to be something in the Erik Sviatchenko link and it would be interesting to see whether Celtic could get the deal down ahead of the Champions League tie. Surely the Danes wouldn’t see much merit in that?
Then there’s the Want Aways at Celtic and will Postecoglou look to get one last contribution from the likes of Edouard, Ajer and Christie before they leave the club? Given these fixtures are in July it’s clearly an option he’ll be considering.
Listen to Stephen Welsh speaking to the Celtic fans media yesterday…
And you can listen to mainstream media conference here for comparison….
