On paper, nothing was on the line for Celtic in their Group E Champions League clash against Feyenoord.
But that doesn’t mean that pressure wasn’t on Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic players to, number one react well following the defeat to Kilmarnock on Sunday and also end the club’s barren winless run in Europe.
With that in mind, the Celtic boss was pretty brave in handing Stephen Welsh a rare start, alongside surprise package of the season, Liam Scales.
James McFadden didn’t expect such a call and he made it clear that it was a ‘surprise’, as he told BBC Radio Scotland (13/12/23 at 8:10 pm).
Even though eventual goalscorer and game-winner, Gustaf Lagerbielke was also available, it was Stephen Welsh who was given the nod and it proved to be the masterstroke.
The 23-year-old played 75 minutes, with the team still winning 1-0, before Feyenoord equalised minutes later and Gustaf Lagerbielke then made full use of Matt O’Riley’s magic for the winner.
Stephen Welsh in the Champions League
“For Stephen Welsh, his last involvement was in the second game of the season, he came on as a sub,” said McFadden.
“He has been injured and not in the squad. He has been on the bench a couple of times, so that’s a surprise. Gustaf Lagerbielke is on the bench and Nawrocki is nowhere to be seen. And Stephen Welsh gets the nod.”
Celtic’s centre-backs
That goal and cameo from Lagerbielke will do him the world of good because he needs some confidence in his veins.
But it doesn’t bode well for Nat Phillips, whose loan spell is now set to come to an end.
Thankfully, the on-loan Liverpool star was only signed until January because if this was a permanent transfer, then it would be even worse.
Let’s be honest, more was expected of Phillips, especially given that he had played for Liverpool before and in the Champions League.
The player himself probably can’t wait to get back to Anfield because this will probably hurt him move over the long-term than Celtic.
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