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.

Paul Gillespie

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