Stephen Welsh has committed himself to Celtic for another four years, the club has announced this morning. The Scottish defender has been on the periphery of the squad for quite some time, after being left out in the cold by former boss, Ange Postecoglou, who signed Yuki Kobayashi in January of this year to compete with Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The writing seemed to be on the wall at one point for the young man but Brendan Rodgers has come into the club and assured him that he will be needed and that he does rate him as a player. Some in the Celtic support do not rate Welsh at all and wish he would be sold so we can find a replacement. But that’s been put to bed now that Rodgers has got him to sign a new contract at Celtic Park.
Welsh is a homegrown talent and adds plenty to the squad. His commitment to the cause is obvious any time he steps onto the pitch and pulls that green and white jersey on. He’s great in the air for a small guy as I’ve previously mentioned, and he’s also very tidy in possession – which is a trait Brednan Rodgers wants in all of his defenders.
This latest news to come out of Paradise is wonderful and it gives us security in regard our squad depth at central defence. Welsh can be a Celtic hero in years to come off he develops his game under Rodgers and could more than likely be a future captain of the club if only given the chance. He needs games in order to do that. What a chance he has in the coming weeks to really cement his place in the side.
The decision to award this new four-year contract to Stephen Welsh seems to complete the four places in the squad for central defenders with Welsh getting a place alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers and the two new signings Maik Nawrocki and, Gustaf Lagerbielke.
That of course will mean that there is likely to be little or no opportunities for both Liam Scales and Yuki Kobayashi, who is out injured at the moment after picking up a muscle strain in the pre-season tour of Japan.
Will Rodgers look to keep five central defenders in his squad or is it looking like it’s time up for Scales – who is wanted by Barry Robson at Aberdeen – and Yuki Kobayashi who has been linked with a loan move back to the J-League. We’ll probably find out over the next week or so.
Incidentally there was no way that Brendan Rodgers was going to sell Liam Scales to Aberdeen ahead of the game last Sunday up at Pittodrie. That deal could now go through this week.
🟢 #WELSH2027 ⚪
We are delighted to announce that Stephen Welsh has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the Club! 💚#CelticFC🍀 @stephen_welsh17
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 18, 2023
Paul Gillespie
🗣️ “𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒌𝒊𝒅, 𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒏, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚.”
Great news that Stephen is committing his future to the club he loves 💚 https://t.co/VdgalT7Sen pic.twitter.com/ykNCjqnqyl
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) August 18, 2023
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The difference between Scales n Kobi is that they are naturally left footed so could fill in at left back if needed with that and thier height i would sooner have them than bernabei against the huns or away in europe , left footers are worth keepig around IMO .
Great to have another home grown tied down for future European campaigns, as this 8 home grown players remains a hindrance for the club still.
Is Welsh better suited in a 2 or 3 man CB partnership?
Still think a 3 would be more suitable for himself imo, especially with the weekness at set plays being to evident within his game to date imo.
Believe scales will be sold during this window, and yuki remains a prospect at this stage within his career.
Still believe Rodgers intends to go with the 3CB option in the future, but not really in the position to do so just yet with injuries to CCV and AJ.
So think yuki will be kept and scales will be sold, even if yuki won’t make a CL squad this season.
Yuki could still play a part in rotation term’s during a CL campaign.
Of course this all depends on weather Rodgers actually intends to go with a 3CB option, yet the option will be there regardless imo.