Sky Sports have confirmed the player’s return to Celtic this January, a decision that was not expected.
So far, Celtic have not had an easy time getting deals over the line in this January transfer window. Unfortunately, that is not an unfamiliar story if you have been following the Hoops for any considerable length of time.
A move for Jocelin Ta Bi has been on the verge of completion for days, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet. On the other hand, it looks like the club have stepped back from trying to sign Niko Sigur after Wilfried Nancy was sacked as manager.
The Hoops do need to make additions to their squad this winter though, if they are to have any hope of turning things around in the title race and clinching the league title come May. Martin O’Neill needs some help.
That help will come in the form of a familiar face. It is an unexpected move, as it had been claimed earlier in the month that Celtic had decided against it when Nancy was the manager.
As reported by Sky Sports, Celtic have recalled Stephen Welsh from his loan spell at Motherwell. The club had until January 14 to decide whether to recall the centre-back, but it was looking unlikely under Nancy.
Sky Sports confirm Celtic transfer return out of nowhere
Welsh enjoyed an excellent loan spell at Motherwell. Earlier, it was believed that the Hoops were even open to considering offers for him during this transfer window.
The situation appears to have changed following the return of O’Neill. The manager has made it very clear that he needs reinforcements.
If those reinforcements will not arrive in the form of new signings, O’Neill will have to explore alternative solutions. The decision to bring back Welsh is certainly one of those.
In the past, Welsh struggled to establish himself in the Celtic first team. However, he has now completed two consecutive loan spells at KV Mechelen and Motherwell, gaining valuable experience along the way.
As things stand, this move will be viewed as a short-term solution for Celtic. But if Welsh can impress over the next six months, he could yet carve out a long-term future at the club. You never know in football.