Stephen Welsh Celtic exit timeline and loan details revealed

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Stephen Welsh has struggled for game time at Celtic this season and that’s why a loan move makes sense.

The defender has managed only 175 minutes all term with two appearances to his name against Falkirk and Dundee United respectively.

It has been a difficult year for the 24-year-old who earned 14 outings last season comparatively who has been behind Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty in the pecking order at Parkhead.

• READ MORE: Celtic fringe player with more touches than Callum McGregor repaid Rodgers’ faith vs Dundee United

KV Mechelen have tabled an offer for the Scotland under-21s cap to take him on loan for the remainder of the season.

And 67 Hail Hail understands that is a move which will be sanctioned in the coming days.

It is understood certain caveats must be met for Celts to accept the offer with Dane Murray to be recalled from his own loan at Queen’s Park.

But 67 Hail Hail can also reveal there is to be NO purchase option on Welsh for Mechelen to take him permanently should his initial stint go well.

Stephen Welsh will have no purchase option in his KV Mechelen loan

No future fee will also be in place at this moment in time.

And with the defender still contracted until 2027, Celtic remain in a strong position should they consider letting him leave full-time in the next window.

We told you recently how Brendan Rodgers had addressed Welsh’s future at Celtic and revealed he would be open to allowing the player to make a short-term move.

But that was before the goalless clash at Tannadice where Rodgers hailed Welsh for his performance despite the dropped points.

Welsh has managed just 175 minutes of football all season

Callum McGregor also described Welsh as “outstanding” in that game due to a lack of playing time in the build up to the action where he did get the full 90 minutes on the pitch against the Tangerines.

Celtic have previously knocked back Mechelen’s efforts to land Welsh last season as Rodgers wanted cover at the back.

Teammate Maik Nawrocki is out of favour and may yet also leave this coming January.

Winger Luis Palma has two interested MLS clubs, as we revealed.