Stephen Welsh looks set for Celtic exit as Scott McKenna move accelerates
Stephen Welsh’s Celtic career is surely set to end this summer as they ramp up plans to sign Scotland international Scott McKenna.
Welsh is set to return to Celtic at the end of this season after two separate loan spells at Motherwell throughout the campaign.
He has impressed under Jens Berthel Askou and even returned to Parkhead to make two appearances in January in the midst of the Hoops’ centre-back injury crisis.
The 26-year-old is reaching the final year of his Celtic contract this summer, and will feel like he has staked a claim to be involved in their squad next term.
Celtic’s transfer plans are accelerating ahead of the summer window, however, and Welsh surely has no long-term future at the club after a new update on their pursuit of McKenna.
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VISIT THE CELTIC TRANSFER HUBCeltic are moving forward with their plans to sign Scott McKenna
Celtic have long been linked with a move to sign Scotland international McKenna, with a move touted ahead of the summer as he impresses in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.
The 29-year-old recently helped Zagreb win the HNL for the 26th time, with local outlet Sportske Novoski now reporting that Celtic scouts have watched McKenna on four separate occasions in recent months.
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goal contributions | 5 |
| Clean sheets | 13 |
| Successful pass % | 89.9% |
| Duels won % | 65.3% |
| Aerial duels won % | 69.6% |
| Goals conceded while on pitch per 90 | 0.79 |
Their report claims that Celtic are fixated on making a move for his services this summer and their interest is “very serious”, so they could well submit a bid very soon.
McKenna will want his future sorted before he heads to the World Cup with Scotland, and his possible arrival at Parkhead will surely spell the end of Welsh’s time at the club.
He has never truly been able to force his way into the Hoops’ squad, hence why he finds himself out on loan at 26-years-old.
Welsh is also entering the final year of his deal, so this summer will represent the last chance for the club to let him leave for a fee, and his stocks are arguably the highest they have ever been after a strong season at Motherwell.
The likes of Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers will be regulars next season, while Dane Murray remains a highly-rated backup option, so Celtic’s interest in McKenna surely means that Welsh is on his way out soon.
What has Welsh said about his future at Celtic?
Motherwell boss Berthel Askou has been closely linked to replacing Martin O’Neill this summer, but sources have told Football Insider that Celtic want to appoint Thomas Frank ahead of his compatriot.
The appointment of the Motherwell manager would boost Welsh’s chances of a Celtic revival, but he has insisted that his focus remains on his loan side and not on what could happen this summer.
When asked last month whether his future beyond this season had crossed his mind, he said: “No, not necessarily, hopefully everything will fall into place in the summer.
“But just now, all I’m thinking about is playing as many games as I can, playing as well as I can and showing what I can do.
“As I said, being in such a good team and having such good players around you, with good staff and a great manager, it can only be positive.”
Target: Elijah Just (Motherwell)
Long-term: Carter-Vickers out
League Pos: 2nd (61 pts)
Status: Summer Talks Underway
Revenue: £143.6m (2025)