Celtic boot out approach for Stephen Welsh as centre-back priorities become clear

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Celtic’s centre-back plans have become clearer today after the club rejected an approach from Belgian outfit KV Mechelen for Stephen Welsh.

The Lennoxtown graduate has attracted interest from the continent following an injury-ravaged campaign last year that led him to make just 14 appearances across all competitions.

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales are firmly the first-choice pairing in Brendan Rodgers’ pecking order. Nevertheless, the Scot did impress in pre-season and is a valued member of the squad.

Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki and Yuki Kobayashi are among the other options in central defence for the Irishman to choose from.

Now, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has shed light on the current state of play regarding Welsh and the other three men in question.

Anthony Joseph’s update on Celtic’s centre-back situation

Taking to social media platform X, Joseph has revealed that Celtic have informed Mechelen that Welsh isn’t available at this stage of the window.

He stated in full: “UPDATE: Celtic have told KV Mechelen that Stephen Welsh is not available for a transfer at this stage of the window. The Belgian Pro League club made a loan offer for the centre-back. Celtic are still assessing their CB situation and don’t want to lose Welsh at this stage.”

Intriguingly, he notes that Celtic are still ‘assessing’ their centre-back situation. Per Sky Sports Transfer Centre, his fellow defender Lagerbielke is attracting interest from Italy. On the same token, Kobayashi is being courted by St Mirren, so there could be outgoing movement.

Poland Under-21 cap Nawrocki may also be allowed to leave on loan after sustaining an injury in pre-season. Celtic will ‘enter the market’ for a new defender if they can offload fringe players as Rodgers seeks to work with a base of four centre-halves.

With a few weeks of the window remaining, departures could pave the way for incomings at Parkhead. Either way, it looks like the Hoops’ stance on Welsh’s future is set in stone.