Stephen Welsh

Hopefully it works out for him and the experience and game time improves his game.

 

Hopefully we put in a ridiculous buy option for him and he kills it over there.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if there is no buy option after we sold Hendry for 1.5m and he was sold a few days later for 6m.

 

Stephen Welsh has struggled for game time at Celtic this season and that’s why a loan move makes sense.

The defender has managed only 175 minutes all term with two appearances to his name against Falkirk and Dundee United respectively


It has been a difficult year for the 24-year-old who earned 14 outings last season comparatively who has been behind Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty in the pecking order at Parkhead.

KV Mechelen have tabled an offer for the Scotland under-21s cap to take him on loan for the remainder of the season.

And 67 Hail Hail understands that is a move which will be sanctioned in the coming days.


It is understood certain caveats must be met for Celts to accept the offer with Dane Murray to be recalled from his own loan at Queen’s Park.

But 67 Hail Hail can also reveal there is to be NO purchase option on Welsh for Mechelen to take him permanently should his initial stint go well.

No future fee will also be in place at this moment in time.

And with the defender still contracted until 2027, Celtic remain in a strong position should they consider letting him leave full-time in the next window.

We told you recently how Brendan Rodgers had addressed Welsh’s future at Celtic and revealed he would be open to allowing the player to make a short-term move.

But that was before the goalless clash at Tannadice where Rodgers hailed Welsh for his performance despite the dropped points


Callum McGregor also described Welsh as “outstanding” in that game due to a lack of playing time in the build up to the action where he did get the full 90 minutes on the pitch against the Tangerines.


Celtic have previously knocked back Mechelen’s efforts to land Welsh last season as Rodgers wanted cover at the back.

 

Best of luck to the bhoy. I think he will do well over there