Celtic fans enraged by ‘pathetic’ official announcement: ‘It’s embarrasing’
Celtic have announced on Monday that they have recalled Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell.
While Hoops fans were able to celebrate a victory on the weekend as they battered Dundee United 4-0, celebrations have not lasted long among the fanbase.
Welsh, who was sent on loan to Motherwell at the start of the season, has enjoyed a wonderful campaign to date.
The defender had been one of the Steelmen’s most important players, with the club currently fourth in the table.
However, Celtic have now decided to recall the centre-back, in a move that has proven to be unpopular among the Celtic Park faithful.
🔙 Stephen Welsh returns to the squad following his recall from Motherwell.#CelticFC🍀 https://t.co/el7g7rYNCW pic.twitter.com/cALb2N3jcX
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 12, 2026
Celtic fans fume as Stephen Welsh is recalled from Motherwell
Despite still being in the race for the Scottish Premiership title, the Hoops have not made many moves in the January transfer window.
To date, Julian Araujo remains their only arrival, joining on loan from Bournemouth.
This is despite Hearts and Rangers making multiple new additions in the hope of ending the season at the summit.
Now, after the recall of Welsh, many supporters believe that Celtic are simply cutting corners to prevent further spending.
Fancy actually spending some money?
— Johnny (@johnnyceltic7) January 12, 2026
Like a new signing 🙄
— Paul Hendry (@PaulHendry95) January 12, 2026
Pathetic move. Will never make the grade at Celtic so should’ve been moved on.
— Barry R (@MagnumPI242) January 12, 2026
Embarrassing. Trying everything possible to chuck the league this season for some reason.
— up the celts 🍀 (@Markyboy_1989) January 12, 2026
Many are also annoyed as his progression will now be affected as his minutes are likely to be reduced.
all the £ we have in bank and we recall him
— Marty Chara 🇮🇪 – #SackTheBoard #NotaPennyMore (@martybhoy1979) January 12, 2026
when he’s playing week in week out and getting the games he needs, nonsense from Celtic
The only reason he is coming back is because of how badly run Celtic is. Sad for him as he will sit on the bench the rest of the season.
— Rydo (@ryfonzo) January 12, 2026
Ruining careers now.
— Allan Williams (@trmo67) January 12, 2026
Can Welsh have a positive impact at Celtic this season?
Despite the poor opinion of the recall among Celtic fans, there is every chance that Welsh can have a positive impact at the Hoops this season.
According to Fotmob on 12 January, the defender has some excellent stats this season in the Scottish Premiership, and excels at passing.
To date, he has completed 92 per cent of his passes and 59.2 per cent of his long balls.
| Stephen Welsh’s Scottish Premiership stats this season | Per 90 minutes |
| Passing accuracy | 92% |
| Long ball accuracy | 59.2% |
| Dispossessed | 0 |
| Duels won | 56.7% |
| Interceptions | 1.53 |
| Recoveries | 3.42 |
| Aerial duels won | 3.06 |
This, combined with his excellent defending could make him an excellent asset for Martin O’Neill as he looks to clog up the Hoops’ leaky backline.
Hopefully, Welsh will be given a chance to shine over the coming weeks and prove to the manager exactly why he needs to be given more minutes after his successful loan spell.
If so, he could be crucial to pushing Celtic back up to the summit before the end of the campaign.