IF CELTIC win the Premiership title they should consider striking a special medal for a player who has been involved in only SIX minutes of league action for the team this season.
Stephen Welsh may be on loan at Motherwell, but the defender is still playing a role for his parent club as they focus on their fifth successive crown.
The former Scotland Under-21 captain was allowed to leave Parkhead at the start of the campaign by Brendan Rodgers who also okayed a temporary transfer to KV Mechelen the previous term.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Stephen Welsh, wearing the captain’s armband makes himself heard during Celtic’s 1-0 friendly win over Queen’s Park at the City Stadium on July 4 2025.
Welsh returned to Celtic in January and made his only league appearance for the club as a late substitute for Kieran Tierney in the 2-0 home win over Falkirk on February 1.
Martin O’Neill gave the green light for the 26-year-old to continue his loan at Fir Park – and only 10 days after his brief outing against John McGlynn’s team, the player equalised for Well in their 1-1 home draw with Danny Rohl’s side.
Jens Berthil Askou’s team were losing 1-0 when they had Lukas Fadinger controversially red-carded following a VAR intrusion.
With just one minute of the regulation 90 to go, Welsh thumped in the goal that gave his side a draw – and denied the visitors two points.
BIG NOISE…Stephen Welsh celebrates his late leveller in the 1-1 draw with Rangers at Fir Park on February 11.
Welsh and his team-mates went one better at Ibrox yesterday when they dumped the home side 3-2 to throw any title hopes of the home club into jeopardy.
The versatile back-four performer strolled through the first-half as Askou’s men raced into a 2-0 interval lead with goals from Fadinger – getting a measure of revenge for his earlier dismissal – and Emmanuel Longelo.
Walsh limped off after sustaining an injury in the 56th minute as the hosts fought back to level with efforts from Youssef Chermiti and Nico Raskin.
However, Well had the last laugh as keeper Callum Ward started an attack down the left with a precise throw and the ball was worked to Longelo who raced into the box to turn the ball inside onto his right foot to launch a drive at goal.
His shot took a nick off centre-back Manny Fernandez on its way past Jack Butland for the winner to stun the home crowd – and send a small pocket of Well fans into ecstasy.
GOVAN GLEE…Stephen Welsh in high spirits after Well’s 3-2 win at Ibrox yesterday.
The loss left Rohl’s team on 69 points, one adrift of Celtic. Hearts still lead on 73 points following their late 2-1 win against nine-man Hibs, who had led through Martin Boyle’s early strike before keeper Raphael Sallinger was banished in only 14 minutes for handling the ball outside the box.
The champions are at Easter Road for the High Noon showdown on Sunday and 24 hours later Derek McInnes’ side play host to the Govan club in the 5.30pm kick-off on Bank Holiday Monday.
After that, the Hoops have home games against Rangers and Hearts with a visit to Motherwell in between.
Welsh, of course, will not be permitted to play against his parent club.
If Celtic do manage to clinch the title in a turbulent campaign with so many twists and turns, hopefully someone will remember the role the loan Bhoy contributed to the success!
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