Stephen Welsh now expected to complete season at Motherwell

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The Celtic Star

·30 décembre 2025

Stephen Welsh now expected to complete season at Motherwell

Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh is expected to complete the current campaign with Motherwell, with no plans in place for an early return to the Scottish champions…

The Hoops academy graduate has quickly established himself as an influential player under the impressive Jens Berthel Askou, featuring regularly since linking up with the North Lanarkshire side on loan in September and amassing 15 outings across all competitions for the Fir Park club.

Despite Celtic facing defensive shortages and experimenting with a reshaped back line, speculation of a recall has been played down.

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According to a report in Daily Record, it is suggested that Welsh will stay put until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, with Celtic encouraged by his development away from the club.

Stephen Welsh of Motherwell, Dundee v Motherwell, Scottish Premiership, Dens Park, Dundee, 13 September 2025. Photo Neil Hanna IMAGO/Shutterstock

The 25-year-old has made 68 senior appearances for his boyhood club since debuting in a 4-1 victory over Hamilton in 2020, scoring four goals along the way.

Before cementing himself at senior level, Welsh has gained experience on loan at Greenock Morton, while a spell abroad followed last season in Belgium with Mechelen, where he featured 17 times during the second half of the 2024/25 season.

However, he will sit out tonight’s fixture against his parent club due to standard loan eligibility restrictions.

Welsh played the full 90 the in Motherwell’s narrow 1–0 defeat to theRangers at Ibrox, where they were denied a blatant penalty in the final minutes of the game.

29th July 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: Pre Season Football Friendly, Celtic versus Wolverhampton Wanderers Stephen Welsh of Celtic FC on the ball. Photo ActionPlus Peter Fitzpatrick

Given Celtic’s problems at right-centre back just now, Welsh would be a better option than Anthony Ralston who looks disjointed and uncomfortable playing in the back three.

It will surely be an area where Wilfried Nancy looks to recruit in January. But, it is pretty damning for the club that both Welsh and Maik Nawrocki, who are out on loan, would waltz into this current team.

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John Hartson, at the Celtic Star Books launch at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park for Matt Corr’s Majic, Stan and the King of Japan. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

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