“Tactically, technically I am better, and I am also a lot fitter,” Stephen Welsh

The Celtic Star

·3 May 2025

“Tactically, technically I am better, and I am also a lot fitter,” Stephen Welsh

Stephen Welsh insists he’ll come back to Celtic this summer as an improved player compared to when he left back in January…

Mechelen’s Stephen Welsh during a match between KV Mechelen and KAA Gent, Friday 07 February 2025 in Mechelen in the Jupiler Pro League first division of the Belgian championship. Photo BRUNO FAHY

Stephen Welsh has impressed at Belgian side KV Mechelen

The centre-back made a temporary switch to Belgian side KV Mechelen on loan for the remainder of the season. The 25-year-old has gone on to cement his place in the starting lineup as the campaign nears its end.

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KV Mechelen currently sit 10th in the Belgian Pro League with four games remaining and are five points off Sporting Charleroi who occupy a Europa Conference League playoff position.

And, Welsh believes his loan spell will prove valuable as he prepares to return to Celtic Park this summer. Speaking via Daily Record, the Celtic Academy graduate and former Scotland U21 captain said: “100 per cent, I will go back to Celtic as a better player.

“Tactically, technically I am better, and I am also a lot fitter”

“Tactically, technically I am better, and I am also a lot fitter with the regular game time and being up to speed playing every week. I will also be going back much improved having played regularly in one of Europe’s top leagues.

“Whatever happens I am going back as a better player and person. I have also matured a lot, living away from and outside of Glasgow. It has been good going to a club where I know if I do well, I will play. It has given me a lot of confidence to go out and play and show I can be an important member of a team.”

Stephen Welsh at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Stephen Welsh still has two more years on his Celtic contract

Welsh still has a little more than two years left on his current deal with Celtic. Before heading out on loan, he made just two appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season.

He continued: “We will see what happens in the summer, I will obviously go back to Celtic. I have two years left and so the plan is to go back to Celtic. I will go back to pre-season and see what happens from there on.

29th July 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: Pre Season Football Friendly, Celtic versus Wolverhampton Wanderers Stephen Welsh of Celtic FC on the ball. Photo ActionPlus Peter Fitzpatrick

“I have spoken to Darren O’Dea and John Kennedy a few times”

“I have spoken to Darren O’Dea and John Kennedy a few times, asking me how I am getting on. I just like to get my head down and get on with it, as I have done throughout my career.”

Realistically it’s hard to imagine Stephen Welsh breaking into the Celtic team and maintaining his place on a regular basis with so much competition. If he’s going to be merely a squad player it might be in everyone’s best interests for him the look at his alternatives and after impressing at Mechelen, Stephen Welsh should not be short of options.

Conor Spence

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