---
title: "Celtic: Stephen Welsh to stay"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-stephen-welsh-to-stay-bhoys-hoops-postecoglou-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Cameron Winstanley"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2023-01-31T20:40:21Z"
modified: "2023-01-31T20:40:21Z"
---

# Celtic: Stephen Welsh to stay

**[Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/) defender Stephen Welsh will remain at the club amid Sheffield Wednesday’s interest, according to Anthony Joseph.**

### **The Lowdown: Interest in Welsh**

The 23-year-old centre-back was previously reported by Sky Sports reporter [Joseph](https://twitter.com/AnthonyRJoseph/status/1612759208855838722) to be a possible departure from Celtic Park this month, with the Bhoys open to listening to offers within the opening weeks of the window.

Following just [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stephen-welsh/leistungsdaten/spieler/403568) appearances all season, Welsh hasn’t played in the [SPFL](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) since October and only featured in a matchday squad once since then.

On Monday, [Joseph](https://twitter.com/AnthonyRJoseph/status/1620127445314859008) reported another update on the defender that third-tier Sheffield Wednesday were interested in taking him to Hillsborough for the remainder of the season, though this came amid Moritz Jenz’s loan from Lorient being [terminated](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/moritz-jenz-set-leave-celtic-29035632) earlier this month.

### **The Latest: Set to stay**

Following a rollercoaster month regarding the Scotsman’s future, it now seems as though his short-term future has been decided, with [Joseph’s](https://twitter.com/AnthonyRJoseph/status/1620473777871282177) latest update revealing he’s set to stay in Glasgow until at least the summer, saying:

“UPDATE: It’s unlikely Stephen Welsh will be leaving Celtic before tonight’s deadline.

“His situation will be reassessed in the summer.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419088″\]

### **The Verdict: Summer exit?**

After Jenz’s loan was ended, Ange Postecoglou has been left with [four out-and-out centre-backs](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/kadernachposition/verein/371), providing him ample cover for the remainder of the season.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt appearing the most amongst fellow centre-backs still at the club (via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/leistungsdaten/verein/371)), after a knee injury hindered Starfelt at the beginning of the season, he’s since played in the previous [10](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/carl-starfelt/leistungsdaten/spieler/258987) SPFL games.

All but [one](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cameron-carter-vickers/leistungsdaten/spieler/341049) of those games has been alongside the United States international, showing what Postecoglou’s defensive partnership is set to be for the remainder of the campaign, leaving Welsh likely to remain as nothing more than a backup should one of the pair become unavailable.

And after penning a four-year contract nearly two years ago (via [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12274570/stephen-welsh-celtic-defender-signs-new-four-year-contract-until-2025)), it’ll be interesting how he and Celtic see Welsh’s future come the end of the season – though we can see why the Hoops have opted against parting ways for now.