Letting Stephen Welsh leave was maybe a mistake, but there’s a but

Letting Stephen Welsh leave was a mistake, but let’s not kid ourselves that he was going to be the answer at Celtic after falling behind Dane Murray in the pecking order…

Stephen Welsh of Celtic celebrates his goal with Matt ORiley during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on July 31, 2022. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Former Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh hasn’t looked back since ending his long association with long in the summer, and his recent impressive performances for the Scotland national side have proven he was correct to move on in the quest for a new challenge.

Stephen Welsh of Swansea City passes the ball under pressure from Ollie Rathbone of Wrexham during the Championship match between Swansea City and Wrexham at Swansea.com Stadium on September 05, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Stephen Welsh has been outstanding for Motherwell, Swansea City and now Scotland

The former Scotland U21 skipper is getting great reviews down at Swansea City who are flying high at the top of the English Championship table, two points ahead of nearest challengers West Ham, who of course have Arne Engels in their team following his £22m plus add-ons move from Celtic this summer.

11th February 2026; Fir Park, Scottish Premiership, Motherwell versus Rangers; Eythor Bjorgolfsson of Motherwell roars in celebration after Stephen Welsh of Motherwell shoots and scores in the 89th minute to make it 1-1. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Stephen Welsh, in recognition of his outstanding loyalty and service to Celtic, despite never getting a proper chance to establish himself in the first team, was allowed to leave on a free transfer despite having a year remaining on his contract.

Swansea City presumably would have been prepared to pay a fee for Stephen Welsh

Presumably Swansea City could and would have been prepared to meet Celtic’s asking price but instead Welsh left on a free and presumably secured a more lucrative remuneration package for The Jacks. That deal though was fair enough on Celtic’s part as they recognised Welsh’s commitment and patience.

Stephen Welsh of Scotland gestures. North Macedonia v Scotland, UEFA Nations League, Football, Nacionalna Arena Tose Proeski, Skopje, North Macedonia – 03 October 2026. Photo Nikola Krstic IMAGO Shutterstock

The 26 year old never really look like solidifying a place in the Celtic first team throughout his years at the club, and after a hugely successful loan spell with Motherwell last season, his appetite for regular football meant that he could no longer accept being a squad player at Celtic behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and even Dane Murray.

Stephen Welsh of Scotland vies with Johan Manzambi of Switzerland during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Scotland and Switzerland at Hampden Park on September 29, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Swansea showings earned Welsh his Scotland call-up

The Coatbridge born defender signed for English Championship side Swansea and has impressed in Wales and England, hence his first ever call up to the senior Scotland side. Anyone who watch the Scotland game away to North Macedonia will have been mightily impressed by Stephen Welsh ‘s performance at the right hand side of a back three.

Ironically that 3-5-2 formation could be the answer that is staring Martin O’Neill in the face after those punishing three consecutive defeats before the international break. Penny for Martin’s thoughts as he was watching Stephen Welsh’s performance on Saturday night.

Stephen Welsh at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Some Celtic supporters changing their tune on Stephen Welsh

All this has naturally led to Celtic supporters being vocal in their opinion that the club were wrong to let Stephen Welsh leave and mad to have done so via a free transfer after agreeing to terminate his contract early.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m firmly in the camp that thinks it was wrong to let Stephen go, as I’ve always believed that he had something to offer especially after impressing in a decent Motherwell side last year.

But if the same supporters, who have all of a sudden started questioning the decision to cut him loose are truthful with themselves, they were always of the opinion that he wasn’t good enough to make the grade at Celtic.

Year in year out Stephen was a target for the over critical section of our support, who were forever telling anyone who would listen that he wasn’t good enough to be a Celtic player.

Let’s not kid ourselves

That sudden change of heart is most likely down to our current state of affairs, but let’s not kid ourselves that Stephen Welsh was going to be the answer to our defensive problems under Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney.

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer of Celtic, looks on from the stands before during the Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on September 13, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Michael Nicholson, for all his faults, would have consulted the management team who were clear that Dane Murray was going to be the second right hand side central defender in this campaign, to that would have left Welsh on the bench at best.

9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Dane Murray of Celtic on the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Most supporters were happy to see the back of Stephen Welsh, so it looks very silly pining for him now that he’s gone.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is seen during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Watch the Scotland game tonight and see what you think about Welsh’s performance

Watch the Scotland game tonight and see what you think, then report back on here.  Stephen Welsh is Celtic through and through but he is NOT the player that he has become thanks to Celtic, the biggest factor for him was his time working with Jens Berthel Askou at Motherwell last season.

Don’t take my word for it, here’s Stephen himself confirming the the Danish coach has been the main influence on his career…

Letting Stephen Welsh leave was maybe

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

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