Roger Hannah on his ‘understanding’ of Celtic recalling Stephen Welsh and possible Motherwell return

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Stephen Welsh is back in the Celtic building.

It’s quite staggering what has happened at Celtic during Welsh’s six months on loan at Motherwell because it has been chaotic beyond belief.

In the summer, Welsh joined Motherwell for the season, as Brendan Rodgers felt he wasn’t going to feature under his stewardship.

But since then, Rodgers has left, Martin O’Neill has made a sensational return, Wilfried Nancy spent 33 ill-fated days in Glasgow, and then O’Neill has come back again.

So, what is the thinking behind Welsh returning from loan, and could he even make a return to Fir Park by the time the January transfer window slams shut?

• READ MORE: Another Celtic January target ‘offered’ to Premier League club after Jocelin Ta Bi

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Celtic’s situation with Stephen Welsh after returning from Motherwell

Roger Hannah stated that Welsh is back at Celtic ‘as cover’, with Auston Trusty and Liam Scales the only senior centre-backs available.

There was the suggestion that Trusty could be injured following Celtic’s win over Dundee United over the weekend.

But that was put to bed when the American was part of Celtic’s training on Tuesday, with the team set to play Falkirk on Wednesday night.

Welsh will be part of the matchday squad, but he isn’t expected to start after featuring in 12 games for Motherwell this term.

A lot of Celtic fans want the powers that be at their club to bring in a centre-back, and according to Hannah on Clyde 1, ‘they are looking to bring in a centre-half this window.’

If that centre-back arrives, then it would ‘impact’ Welsh’s future, and a possible return to Motherwell could be on the cards.

“My understanding of it is that he is back as cover,” said Hannah. “Martin O’Neill is playing a back four, as he will.

“You only have two recognised first-team centre-halves, and Dane Murray as cover, at the minute. Carter-Vickers is out.

“But if you look at the situation. Simpson-Pusey is away. Inamura is away, so they are down in numbers. I think they are looking to bring in a centre-half during the window.

“That could impact Stephen Welsh’s future, if they get a centre-back in. I think Stephen Welsh could theoretically go back to Motherwell, but for now, they feel that they need him just for the numbers.”