Stephen Welsh enters Scotland conversation as Celtic man’s Motherwell form discussed by panel

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Celtic might face a decision on Stephen Welsh in January, with the way things are going.

The defender has made 68 senior appearances for Celtic since making his debut five years ago. He’s no longer a youth prospect.

But after opportunities dried up under Brendan Rodgers and he moved on loan to Mechelen in Belgium last January, he joined Motherwell on loan in the summer.

The Steelmen have earned rave reviews this season, and sit third in the Premiership table. Welsh has hit form in Jens Askou’s possession-based system.

So much so that he has now entered the conversation for a Scotland call-up.

Celtic man Stephen Welsh’s Motherwell form leads to Scotland discussion

Since qualifying for the World Cup, there has been much conversation about Scotland adding to their squad with Harvey Barnes, who could change his allegiance from England.

But with a fairly threadbare list of centre-back options, defensive reinforcements could be an even bigger priority for Steve Clarke.

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Welsh’s form makes him a leading contender to step in. Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna, John Souttar and Jack Hendry are Scotland’s four current centre-half options.

Si Ferry, Paul Slane and James McFadden have discussed the possibility on Open Goal

Ferry said: “Did we ask you last week about Stephen Welsh for Scotland?

“What’s your thoughts. Could he make it? He’s played in big matches, he’s played in massive games.”

Slane said: “Who would you take out, though? Because on current club form, you’d say ‘aye, he’s been better than Hanley’ – but Hanley’s done more for Scotland.

Motherwell hero McFadden then weighed in: “I think when it comes up to a tournament, which we’re not being used in with the World Cup, you need to look it and say: ‘Obviously, you want to force your way in,’ but if everybody’s fit, I don’t see many changes, to be honest.

“But you need to be ready and have form, in case there’s an injury.”

Other first-team Celtic players out on loan

Celtic have a number of young players out on loan, but there are a few senior players playing elsewhere, including Maik Nawrocki, who has hit form for Hannover.

Luis Palma is also earning praise with his performances for Lech Poznan. The Polish side hold an option to buy on the Honduran, but they’d need to break their record transfer fee to trigger it.

Forgotten man Odin Thiago Holm will return to Celtic in January after a dismal year at LAFC, which has seen him make just five appearances.

23-year-old defender Adam Montgomery is still on Celtic’s books, and was a mainstay on loan at Livingston before suffering an injury which has kept him out since October.