The league was won by such a small margin and after so many tight games, it is possible to identify a dozen games and three times as many moments that can be considered crucial to the outcome. Not all of them by Celtic players.
Stephen Welsh’s 89th minute equaliser for 10-man Motherwell against Newco in February was one of them. Moments earlier Celtic scored an added-time winner against Livingston, while Newco led at Motherwell. That four-point swing kept Celtic hopes alive that the improbable was still possible.
Welsh featured in Motherwell’s post-split win at Ibrox and draw against Hearts, games which respectively removed Newco and Hearts from the position of bookies’ favourites for the title. As a Celtic player, he was unable to play in our 2-3 win at Fir Park last month.
Six years after making his Celtic debut, the player has been released from his contract a year early, with contract offers already on the table. The loan fee received from Motherwell, or expected for another year elsewhere, was not sufficient incentive to inhibit the player’s career or earning potential. Then there is the feeling that we owe him something.
Stephen’s loan to Motherwell was cut short when Celtic needed cover in January, but he returned to Lanarkshire after Benjamin Arthur arrived on load from Brentford. That decision looked curious at the time. Arthur was not as ready for action as Welsh, and we were potentially developing Brentford’s player, instead of our own. But Motherwell would have been weakened when playing our title rivals. It’s an interesting manifestation of the consequences of the loan market. Did it decide the title? Sure, along with +50 other decisions.
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THE BADA BING on 3RD JUNE 2026 12:23 PM
Askou might have paid money for Welsh,or he could have been a makeweight in a transfer somewhere
………………….
Apparently there’s little or no chance of Stevie Welsh ever signing for Motherwell. Apparently on £8.5 grand a week at Celtic and Motherwell can only offer £2.5 – £3 grand per week.
More money to rest in the bank account…..
TOSB- Askou at Toulouse now….
Betting suspended. Almost certainly Robbie Keane.
Can anyone, please, tell us who is making these decisions about players’ contracts and releasing players?
Please.
AS for Robbie Keane…unimpressed.
McCoist needs to go on a rules training course.
For someone so entrenched in the media commentary malarky his grasp of the rules is shocking – i would have thought that broadcasters would want co comms with a fair idea of the laws of the game.
Handball in the box with hand above your head – PENALTY, no for old Aldo.
Great ball, first, sliding tack in the box and he wants the PENALTY this time even though every angle you look at shows ball contact first the attacker goes over the ball winning leg – clear PENALTY according to big Ally – he is hilarious in his bias
Yup. Can’t get a bet on next manager (have a hunch it’s Jim Leishman). Someone knows something.
Please not Robbie Keane.
Parkheadcumsalford on 3rd June 2026 12:13 pm
Sorry to see Welsh going but it seems Celtic are doing well by him. We certainly owe him that.
*we did the same with Bobby Murdoch, unfortunately it was him that brought the beast on, an individual whose arrogance saw him hunted by Bill Nicholson at Spurs.
🎶Michael… x you are giving them away 🎶
Auldheid on 2nd June 2026 9:07 pm
Burnley78 on 3rd June 2026 10:27 am
*that’s the way I saw it, and some wanted to know why we never gave him a League Winners Medal, NEVER a Celtic Mhan, NEVER, I was opposed to him coming back and so were the Green Brigade with their banner at his first home game” could hve been a legend” or words to that effect.
But when I read of his 3 year contract, getting the keys to the kingdom and his platitudes to how he was hurt knowin he wisnae liked at Parkheid and wanted to make amends, so I thought mibbees just mibbees we are going to have a crack at Europe, nae chance Karat took care of that, plus once again he couldnae avoid the ching ching noise of rials emanating from the desert.
As for this concern over Robbie Keane who did play for us incidentally and was hail hailed on his arrival at those golden gates where the football greats all walked through, and yet lawrence of arabia has now become a cult hero second time round as I cannae recall any such praise the last time he effed off.
He now plies his trade in a country where human rights are heavily restricted under an absolute monarchy, with severe limitations on freedom of expression, frequent use of the death penalty, and an ongoing male guardianship system, while some social and economic modernization has occurred, systemic repression of political dissent remains widespread.
Hopefully at least the next manager, whoever he is, is given the long leash that Ange and lawrence were given and takes us back to our rightful place in Europe as Scotland is truly a back water, as far as fitba is concerned, the national side will be hame before the postcards.
Oh and btw the usual suspects are back as they see discord in our ranks and want to spread it further, effin creeps.
Tontine Tim,
That was at Middlesborough, wasn’t it. I think I read that some of their support think Bobby was their greatest ever player. Quite possibly ours too, of course.
Where is the beast, as you correctly call him, these days? He is (very) occasionally interviewed on TV.
We inhibited Welsh’s career. We kaiboshed moves to udinese Mechelin and Toulouse and still didn’t play him.
We cuptied him against Auchinleck talbot before sending him back, He did us a favour this season with his performances for Motherwell,
We owed him in my view and it was a nice gesture to release him early.
Good luck Stephen Welsh, wherever you end up next. Now we could do with similar early departures for Balikwisha, Holm, Inamura, Kenny, Montgomery and Yamada… with a few others also due to disappear imminently (Maeda, Hatate, Engels and possibly Nygren) and of course Schmeichel and the inward loanees having already departed.
I’d love to get Saracchi and Araujo back and give Bernardo another chance to cement a place in the team to perhaps fill the gap left should Engels leave. Bernardo is actually quite a decent player when allowed to play to his strengths, with good vision and an eye for a forward pass… something we have often craved for in recent times. And he can put in a tackle when needed, unlike some others! Note that we should already be succession planning for McGregor, who is already into his twilight years. Could that be a role for Bernardo? (I suspect that was in mind with the signing of Engels, but he probably isn’t sticking around long enough for that one to pan out.)
I fear that Jota’s injury may have put paid to his career as he and we knew it during his first Celtic Park spell. We may have to effectively write him off and look to replace him, which will be very hard, though perhaps a modified role for Saracchi could soften the loss.
Lots needs to happen with regard to rebuilding the squad from foundations to apex, and it needs to start happening several months ago. With the World Cup almost upon us, we realistically have probably the next week and a couple of weeks after the WC to get an awful lot done to enable the many new players to meld into a cohesive unit ahead of the challenges of the CL play-off and the start of the new 6IAR league season.
Parkheadcumsalford on 3rd June 2026 3:30 pm
Tontine Tim,
That was at Middlesborough, wasn’t it. I think I read that some of their support think Bobby was their greatest ever player. Quite possibly ours too, of course. Where is the beast, as you correctly call him, these days? He is (very) occasionally interviewed on TV.
*Jackie Charlton always raved about him, right enough he played against him in the 1970 semis, as for the beast his wiki says he was a supporter of the huns and their emba brithers, not so just the latter, he was training with us and the Big Mhan wanted to sign him and the feeling was reciprocated but Dave Mackay up on holiday heard about it and pleaded with Bill Nicholson to sign him, NEVER A HUN, NEVER. must be something in the water that turns them so nasty.
Same people who think that seats keep them safe [ from what? ] also think that vaxxeens make them safe.
Because the TV told them so. lol
Same people who canny workout the PLC conundrums become obedient, silent, slavish, blindfolded, devoted, unconditional, sheeple, on season ticket renewal day.
Same people who want to support the team, seem to be unaware that if you attend Parkheid to support the Celtic team on the pitch, you must, FIRST OF ALL, financially support the the PLC board that is full of pro Old Firm Establishment sleekits, with dangerous freeloading hangers-on like Sir/Lord Haughey, and David Low the Celtic Trust season ticket boycott vote blocker, then he fkd off back to Fergus McCann’s basement?! EYE!
Same people who sing about setting Ireland free in 1916 will call you a “racist” if you even so much as ask what has happened to Ireland in 2026 where there are 10+ Million in the queue in Ireland BEFORE the Irish?!
Its a funny old world.
Auntie May O’Kay CSC
The internet age, i have found cares little for long, rambling spiels that circle themselves before falling over from the absolute tedium they represent.
Shortbread
We’ll go over to Ibrox for an update ………..
“ There’s nothing happening here at Ibrox except I can tell you it’s absolutely pouring down with torrential rain “ ……..David Begg
Over to Tynecastle……….
“ Well I can tell you the Celtic fans are loving it here as it’s raining goals with two already inside the first 12 minutes “………David Francey
Back to Ibrox
Still nothing happening here at Ibrox
David Begg
Tynecastle
Well I can tell you now it’s officially raining here at Tynecastle
David Francey
Quality CSC
bigchipsuk
Wouldn’t give up on Jonny Kenny just yet. I might be one of the few on here, upstairs on the Clapham Omnibus even, but I think he could still have a future in a post Maeda Celtic. Not sure, without checking, if he was on the pitch alongside Callum Osmand when we outclassed RFC II in the League Cup semi-final back in October, but I’m sure both scored in that game. Both also share forward movement and mobility on and off the ball and could, just possibly could, form a front duo capable of causing problems for any defensive set-up. True, Kenny needs to work on his finishing, but if he improves there, there’s a player there.
DavidSoulCSC
Not going to plan for our board. They have been trying to sabotage the club for over a year now. (I wonder why). They didn’t back Rodgers , they brought in Martin and replaced him for winning too much , bring in a total rookie mid season , had to fire him due to fan and media pressure , brought back Martin (surely he can’t keep winning). Let’s give him FA in the Jan transfer window, that should do it. Nope. MON loves Celtic and somehow got those players and fans believing. Board must have been raging. Don’t forget the way Desmond spoke to the fans at the agm.
They resent Celtic now. It’s not healthy. I have nothing against Robbie Keen – but sometimes it just doesn’t fit. The media and some fans will be all over the political angle. Many others will be furious if MON is overlooked.
The reason we win is due to Mon and the back room staff – this is how players respond. They will not respond to all the negativity coming our way.
Desmond’s and the board have had an almighty horror show of performance – consistently failing the fans and the team. I want them gone – they have lost their passion for Celtic.
I agree Johnny Kenny not a busted flush.
Not following the cryptic conversation above. Maybe it’s an age thing but I don’t know who ‘the beast’ is that a few folks are talking about. Any answers?
bhoys town
The ‘beast’ is a short hand version of the “the beast from the east” otherwise known as Graham Souness…..
A quick nod to Stephen Welsh as I join many others in wishing him well. I’d like to think that Celtic acting honorably played a part in not collecting a fee for him.
Returning to the matter of the managerial appointment, we’ve been reminded that the club’s business, if done properly, will not be done in the public domain, and as such we should pay no attention to the rumors and column inches suggesting that Keane is the favorite. Though we can be sure that DD will be the one who decides. The process of appointing a manager is fraught with risk, as we know only too well from this season alone, but DD will appoint the next manager effectively unchecked. You need only consider DD’s own reflections on how the pursuit of Eddie Howe led to the appointment of Ange – it seems clear to me, that, in his mind, he was choosing the man to run his club.
Why is it so? Because he acts like the owner, and none of the directors or other investors appear interested in challenging him or checking his process. They’ll have their reasons; self-preservation, laziness, lack of interest, or maybe they do indeed think he’s doing a bang up job. It matters not.
SAINT STIVS – you are correct, in saying “a person without the majority shareholding in a company, (ie less than 50%), can be seen as the owner”, as clearly MON even referred to him as such. You are however incorrect when suggesting that this has anything to do with corporate law – it just doesn’t. I don’t challenge you on this falsehood just to declare I’m right and you are not, I do so because it is an important point of distinction, and it should matter greatly to all of us, as Celtic fans.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 3RD JUNE 2026 9:09 AM – reposted on yesterday’s article an explanation on shareholdings and voting rights which lays it out clearly. I would encourage all fans supportive of positive change to read and understand the situation. Thank you to TBB.
The simple truth is, DD will always have effective control until HE decides that he no longer wants it. There are clearly relationships which ensure this, and beyond that there are mechanisms available to him which can further legitimize his control should he feel the need. He could also increase his overall shareholding if he so wished, but it would appear he does not want to deal again with the mandatory offer requirement, even though he clearly has the means to acquire the club should he wish to do so.
So, what does he want?
I’m not sure that we are any closer to knowing this, but for as long as he treats Celtic as a plaything, we will never see the club realize its potential, or just be the most genuine version of itself. He has allowed the media to create and promote the narrative accepting him as “the owner”, and this is the reason why I stated yesterday;
“This is a really important distinction, that all shareholders need to be clear on, as their individual voting rights could matter in a future where the TCT, CSL and CSTA, build voting blocks that may more effectively aggregate and represent fan interests…” continuing to add that “… a 5% shareholding (or voting block) is afforded specific statutory rights, which permits them to formally challenge the board on presentation of resolutions and voting matters, so ensuring greater transparency for a Plc.”
I don’t know where all of this leads, but our club desperately needs healthy governance for its long term future.
Thanks Celtic Mac. I’d heard him called that but couldn’t make the connection with Bobby. I see now that the chat is about him helping develop Souness.
Souness was an able player, no doubt about it, but a total thug. I had my first job in the early to mid ’90s, working with a pompous clown who told me that Souness and Murray were leaving Celtic in the dust for ever. Funny how things turn out. Bet he’s had an enjoyable last 14 years… Not sure Souness was all that popular on the dark side. It seems to be wee Watty they all pine for.
The first time I saw Sounesss (on TV) was playing alongside Bobby. Bobby was still a great player in that Middlesbrough team.
Well,back from a lovely holiday,and all that sea air has completely changed my views on all things Celtic.
I will now look forward to a new manager,who every fan will be impressed by,painstakingly researched,a blitz of the transfer market,getting quality targets in within days,gone will be the days of haggling for weeks,the Board,having seen the error of their ways,will be straining at the leash to get started with a vigour before unseen.
The whole club bursting with fervour and determination,to be” World class in everything we do”
I front know about you,but I for one can’t wait.( Had a Welsh couple aboard,rubs off on you )
Good Luck to Stephen Welsh .
A died in wool Tim ,who gave his all,all of the time .
His emotional show of sheer elation in the Ayebrokes tunnel after Motherwells 2-3 win will be my abiding memory of him .
THPT
Stephen Welsh after beating The Huns.
https://youtu.be/5T1mHDpoCKQ?si=qEDWfH0H1J5H9odM
THPT
Daddy Dermot the Despot knows full well the uproar that appointing a genocide apologist will cause.
He clearly does not give a flying fek about that.
Civil war awaits. Bring it on.
Added to the fact that Keane is a shit manager…….
We’ve had MON and NFL, that have represented the illegitimate Six County statelet, ffs. Keane shouldn’t be treated any differently, for having worked in Israel.
Henry Joy on 3rd June 2026 5:50 pm
Nonsense. He stood back whilst his team sand songs about killing Palestinian children.
How low have we actually stooped?
Sang…
And maybe someone could explain in simple footballing terms why Celtic should be considering Keane anyway?
If the £4.75M transfer fee for Palma is true, that’s a great piece of business.
In Dermot Desmond, we trust.
Ave Ave
Henry Joy on 3rd June 2026 5:54 pm
Hilarious….
If its Robbie fae the Lobby then you must know who has captured Celtic.
https://readceltic.com/2026/06/03/the-billionaire-wrecking-ball-dermot-desmond-seems-hell-bent-on-the-destruction-of-celtic-as-we-know-it/
In 1994 a great mhan, the last Integrity packed Celtic Fenian Statesman once said…..
“THE GAME….THE GAME IS OVER….THE REBELS HAVE WON!”
If only he knew what would have really happened…when less than a couple of months later Fergus removed his mask and started a new and sinister game were Rebels would not be tolerated.
And here we are 14 years after Rangers died in 2012 with old firm tickets at 49 quid….and they are now 56 quid per ticket????
What a time to be alive…..
I reckon its Tomas Frank that will.be the next manager at Celtic,with Martin Oneil as director of football,Robbie Keane not involved ,maybe up at Lennoxtown in some capacity,