Stephen Welsh has given Ange Postecoglou some good news after the Scotland Under 21s captain shrugged off an injury knock picked up in the 2-0 Euro 2023 defeat to Belgium at Tannadice.
And now the 21 year old can turn his attention to Hampden on Saturday evening where Celtic take on the holders in the 5.15pm kick-off and Welsh, like the rest of us can’t wait. Celtic had won the previous four League Cups – and indeed Scottish Cups with both left the familiar surrounds of the Celtic trophy cabinet in the boardroom at Celtic Park to head up to Perth for a stay in the boardroom at McDiarmid Park.
Winning both cups last season was a remarkable achievement for St Johnstone and their players will be doing all that they can to try to retain their silverware. For Celtic it’s all about hunting down a first final and lifting the last remaining piece of silverware in what has been an otherwise barren 2021 for the club.
Welsh, speaking to The Herald, was full of prise for the Saints. “St Johnstone were excellent in the Cups last year – in fact they were almost unstoppable,” the Celtic central defender stated. “So we know how tough a game it will be and how tough St Johnstone are to beat in the cup. They are a good side with really good players who are really well disciplined as well.”
Welsh though will be part of a Celtic team full of confidence on Saturday after a excellent run of form in the section of games played in between the last two international breaks. “We’ve got some creative players in our team too as you have been seeing for the last few weeks. So we are going into this with confidence,” Welsh added.
“We are on a good run just now before the international break and we want to continue that. It’s a cup semi-final and a chance to get to the final so it’s a massive game and I am sure everyone will be ready to go. Training will be the usual high-intensity and we are looking forward to the game. Hopefully, all our internationals will come back and we will prepare properly for it.
“I think every trophy, especially for us, is important. We didn’t win one last season and that’s the main aim – to get to a Cup Final. That’s what we want to do at this club for the fans.
“We will have a great support at Hampden so we are really looking forward to it. Our support is the best. They always come in huge numbers and make a brilliant atmosphere. We are really looking forward to it. We need to use that to our advantage and hopefully, we can send them away to look forward to another cup final because that’s the aim.
“Personally, I’m fine. It was a knock when their player had a shot and followed through on us, but I just came off as a precaution. I’ll be fine for the weekend. You’re always worried when you feel a bit of pain, but luckily it wasn’t a twist or anything. It was just pure impact so I should be fine.”
That’s good news for Ange Postecoglou who today revealed that Hampden will be too early for both Carl Starfelt and Tom Rogic and also told his media conference that Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has a knee problem that all keep him out for around a week so will miss St Johnstone in the cup semi-final and Leverkusen in the Europa League next Thursday. Christopher Jullien won’t be rushed back so Welsh is likely to be at the centre of the Celtic defence alongside Cameron Carter Vickers.
The Celtic team on Saturday is likely to be this…
Hart, Ralston, Carter Vickers, Welsh, Juranovic, Bitton, McGregor, Turnbull, Abada, Kyogo and Jota.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says Giorgos Giakoumakis will be out for at least another week with a knee injury. League Cup semi likely to be too soon for Carl Starfelt & Tom Rogic.
— Alison Conroy (@AlisonGConroy) November 18, 2021
I honestly can’t wait for the game on Saturday the feel good factor is definitely back HH