Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that centre-back Stephen Welsh is “raring to go” against Ferencvaros tomorrow night.
Welsh hasn’t started a game for Celtic since September. This comes due to the fact both Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been operating as the first-choice centre-back pairing.
Thankfully for Welsh, an opportunity appears to have come knocking. Starfelt’s hamstring injury picked up against Livingston on Saturday opens the door for the Scotland U21 international to win his spot back.
And speaking at his press conference via Clyde 1, Postecoglou stated he’s ready to get at the Hungarians in tomorrow’s Europa League group stage encounter:
“Welshy’s been raring to go. He’s been unfortunate I guess not be able to get an opportunity to play again because when he has played he’s been very good for us.
“Nir [Bitton] can slip back in there as well. So we’ve got some options.”
Stephen Welsh fully deserving of Celtic recall
You suspect Postecoglou is simply being diplomatic when it comes to his centre-back options here. He’s giving Bitton a mention as it would give his team away if he isolated the praise on Welsh.
Even so, logic dictates that it will indeed be Stephen partnering Carter-Vickers in tomorrow’s crucial European match in Hungary.
Remember, Welsh already has experience of hostile atmospheres after playing away to the likes of AZ Alkmaar and Rangers in recent months. Even though he hasn’t started since Livingston away, he’s been a reliable figure for the new boss.
Bitton, meanwhile, can be far too much of a liability at the back. That was proven in Postecoglou’s first-ever competitive game against Midtjylland at home when he got sent off recklessly. It’s more important that the manager sticks to the players he can truly rely on. Welsh falls into that category.
This has to be seen as Stephen’s chance to win his place back in the starting XI once more. A dominant display in Hungary followed up with another shutout away to Dundee, and you’ll do well to find a Celtic fan who believes he should be dropped.
It may look at face value as if it’s Welsh vs Bitton tomorrow night. The truth is there’s only one obvious choice staring the manager in the face.
In other news, John Hartson admits he can’t understand Celtic swapping penalty-kick takers
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