Celtic and Wilfried Nancy are in need of centre-backs.
One avenue Celtic could go down to bring in players to play in the back three is the January transfer window.
But the champions of Scotland can also look closer to home, and possibly recall Stephen Welsh from Motherwell.
Celtic loaned out Welsh to Fir Park for the season in the summer, and he has received a lot of plaudits for his performances.
But despite Nancy wanting and needing more players to play in a back three, and Welsh has done that at Motherwell, he won’t be recalled.
Should Celtic consider recalling Stephen Welsh in January?
Celtic fans react as Stephen Welsh to stay at Motherwell
Anthony Ralston has played on the right side of a back three, and some supporters don’t want him in the starting XI.
When the news broke on Monday that Welsh would stay at Motherwell, some pointed out that he should return because he is a better option than Ralston.
But it’s fair to say that the Celtic Park faithful are mixed on all of this because some think that he just isn’t good enough for the Hoops.
Yes, many acknowledged the work Welsh is doing at Motherwell, and he deserves the praise he is getting. But it’s a different level of pressure in Glasgow.
@walsh93declan was pretty blunt about the call: ‘That’s his level, Ralston too.’
@CelticCalcio doesn’t think Welsh is good enough for Celtic: ‘He’s not good enough for Celtic, unfortunately. A good la,d but he’s at his level. We need to strengthen in January and add defenders who know how to play in a 3-4-3 system. I reckon it works with Scales – Trusty – CCV, with Johnston at RWB & Tierney/Sarrachi at LWB.’
But this Celtic fan @mdcfc22 thinks Welsh is perfect for Nancy’s system: ‘To be honest, he’s the perfect profile to play in that RCB role. Hopefully, this means we have someone lined up for January.’
Ralston is taking hits for no reason, as @rbradley1971 added: ‘Can they also convince them to take Ralston as a sweetener?’
@thejock1967 explained why it could be a ‘crazy’ call: ‘Unless we are buying defenders it’s crazy!!’
@FundilyMundelly thinks Welsh still has a Celtic future: ‘I’d like to see him get fully fit and play a full season of 90-minute appearances. I have a mate who’s a Motherwell fan and says he has been outstanding. Could be a decent option as the right side of 3 backup, as I think he played fullback. See how he does in pre-season?’
Another Celtic fan who is backing the club’s call, as @joecoyle84 stated: ‘Absolutely the correct decision.’
@Elcano6791 compared Welsh with Liam Scales: ‘Good for any player to get game time. Maybe he will come back as improved as Liam Scales was from Aberdeen.’
Ralston is taking even more hits, as @ScottLiddell20 added: ‘I’d bring him back and send Ralston to Motherwell.’
@Bob54920795 thinks Welsh is ‘better than’ what Celtic have right now: ‘He’s better than what we’ve got at the moment.’
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
