Stephen Welsh tipped for new Celtic role after deal agreed – expert
Brendan Rodgers could deploy Stephen Welsh in the midfield for Celtic once he is back to full fitness.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie insisted Welsh will struggle for game time at centre-back, particularly following the arrival of Nat Phillips on loan from Liverpool.
Last month (18 August), the Glasgow giants confirmed that the defender has put pen to paper on a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2027.
The 23-year-old had been attracting interest during the summer window but boss Brendan Rodgers was keen to keep the centre-back at Parkhead.
But Welsh is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in training that is due to rule him out for several months.
The Hoops have signed Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips on a loan deal running until January with staple centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers and new signing Maik Nawrocki also injured.
McAvennie suggested Welsh’s only chance of game time could be in a new position.
“He has been out the first team for a while so he had obviously been impressing in training,” he told Football Insider.
“I think he would be great sitting in front of the defence. He can play, he is a big lad and he can tackle but I do not think he is the big centre-half that Celtic are looking for.
“I think Rodgers could sit him in behind [Callum] McGregor and get the ball playing so maybe Brendan is looking at that.
“He has not really let Celtic down at any stage but he has not set the heather alight either. He deserves a contract and hopefully he gets game time but I would not be too sure, especially since they have brought in Phillips.“
In other news, youngster wants to quit Celtic after club make contract offer U-turn.