Stephen Welsh

Most of us were praising Welsh after his first appearance this season, felt he was unfortunate to immediately lose his spot. At the moment he's a good squad option to have, and one who will inevitably improve.

 

He started really well at the start of the season and was unlucky to get injured.

The problem is players like Welsh, Turnbull, Ralston and Taylor need consistent game time to find form and confidence.

 

I think if Welsh wasn’t able to fulfil the home grown quota then we may have accepted one of the offers for him at least to go out on loan.

The home grown quota for Europe is going to be an issue for us longer term if our academy doesn’t start to produce as there isn’t many options kicking about you would say go sign him for us in the league at the moment.

 

He would inevitably improve with regular games. That’s my concern, and why I think he should have been loaned out. I agree he is a good squad option, but I don’t think that’s a good thing for the future for his development just now. I think perhaps the fact we have absolutely no youngster coming through that looks anywhere near good enough for cover probably played a part in Welsh not going out on loan.

 

I don't know who needs to hear this but none of this is arguably true.

Welsh has been getting slated since last year, especially highlighted in his role in the Cup Semi loss last year.
Three of the league losses under Ange have been linked to Welsh blunders and mistakes.
Many of were hoping we would have accepted the offer that came in for him this year.
Plenty of us were delighted and relieved he lost his spot to Jenz.
And at the moment he is a bombscare as the 4th slot CB, and there is no way in * he is ever going to improve as a Celtic player.

 

In your opinion, maybe.

 

Ridiculous comment.

Why do so many people love just bashing young Celtic players? I'm all for criticism and frank opinions, but comments like that are so ridiculous they reveal an underlying hate. Subconscious jealousy maybe?

For the record I'm not convinced Welsh will ever be good enough for first choice here. But to say he won't improve, while he's actively improving at 22 years old is a joke.

 

Presumably he meant improve to a point where he can be considered good enough for Celtic.

A point hard to argue with. Welsh is mince - he can’t even get into a poor Scotland squad which regularly has to play midfielders and fullbacks at centre back.

 

I'm glad at least someone else thinks the comment was ridiculous. We must presume it was a mistake.

As I said, I agree he might not become first choice at Celtic.

Although it's interesting we're now saying 22 year old 4th choice CBs developing at Celtic are * if they're not full internationals. Again, reeks of unreasonable bashing of the player.

A quick check of the international team you're referring to also shows they're absolutely flying at the minute. It would be a bit strange if the manager suddenly brought in a 4th choice 22 year old CB during a crucial period when his team are doing so well, but let's just bash Welsh anyway.

 

Yeah, anyone and everyone criticising Welsh is doing so for every reason bar his footballing ability.

Get a grip.

 

What? I don't even..

Out of nowhere, you criticised him for not being able to get into the Scotland team as evidence of him being 'mince' and I said that's an unreasonable bash of the player. How the * does your reply make any sense.

My posts are all about hyperbolic bashing of a player and that's what you did. Same as the guy that said he would never improve while playing for Celtic. You agreed that was so stupid he must've meant something else, I think?

I've even said I don't know if he'll ever be good enough for Celtic..

Go and have a wee lie down.

 

I criticised him because he’s * and has shown as much playing for Celtic. The fact he can’t get into a very poor Scotland squad (which Jack Hendry starts for) is further evidence of this.

Not sure what’s hard to understand?

 

This sarcastic(?) bit right here:

"Yeah, anyone and everyone criticising Welsh is doing so for every reason bar his footballing ability."

I said saying he can't get into a flying Scotland squad is poor evidence to prove a 22 year old CB is *. You said the above as a reply. It makes zero sense as a reply. At no time did I suggest "anyone and everyone" is criticising Welsh for "every reason bar his footballing ability".

I'll repeat again, I am also criticising Welsh as not good enough to start for Celtic, and I'm not convinced he will be.

Presumably I'm doing that for non-footballing ability reasons too?

I think it's becoming increasingly clear people love a hyperbolic bash of a player they don't rate. i.e. a whipping boy.

 

We have had some questionable defenders in recent years ,having Welsh as a 4th choice isn't really that bad all things considered.he certainly has flaws ,which he might had eliminated from his game at this point had he been out on loan somewhere for a couple of seasons .can't ever see him ever being first choice ,which is why you might want a young player (18 or so) being the 4th choice with the potential to be 1st choice then you are gonna run into exactly the same problem with lack of game time

 

I think something people don't realise is the unique style we play doesn't make it easy to get a 4th choice CB in.

We need an all-action CB that's good on the ball, lots of running, picking passes into midfield, pushing into the opposition half and everyone wants them to win every header going. We've had to spend about £12m on two CBs to play that way (and these were bargain prices).

How are we meant to find a 4th choice to step into that role willing to sit on the bench?

We can play Brutalball like the Huns and easily get solid defenders, but we won't win leagues in the long run. There's a reason bang average defenders look good at the Huns. Welsh would have a Scotland cap if he played CB for them.

 

Whether Welsh will ever be good enough to be a 1st choice Celtic CB is a longer-term consideration/concern. The current situation is that he's been thrust into the starting lineup, we can't currently sell him, we can't currently buy anyone to replace him, we likely don't have anyone better in the academy, so due to injuries, he's needed at this moment in time.

Supporters getting on his back and (probably) increasing the chance he's gonna make a mistake, is some crazy form of self-sabotage.

 

So only you are allowed to call him *?

This site would be decent, if not for the poor trolls.

 

No, anyone can call him *.

Hyperbole because you’re bitter and love a whipping boy is prohibited.

Do you get it now?

 

None of it’s hard to understand, mate. It’s all just bs:

The Scotland team - as you well know - is performing well and is loaded with players from leagues far stronger than ours.
Meanwhile, you want the guy who’s our 4th choice and only playing because of injuries to others, to be getting a game with an international side that is performing at its best levels in 25+ years?

Have a word…