McLean knew Welsh’s attitude and desire would help him become a star with Celtic
STEPHEN WELSH had the necessary ability on the pitch.
But it was his attitude, desire and application off it that convinced Morton team-mate Brian McLean the young centre-back could make a breakthrough at Celtic.
Welsh is now a top-team regular for the Hoops and set to start Sunday’s Scottish Cup last-16 tie against Rangers with added belief, having just signed a new four-year contract to tie him to the club until 2025.
It’s a reward for the 21-yearold defender’s play as well as his determination to get the very best out of himself every single day.
McLean saw how the best did it. As a youngster at Rangers in the early noughties, he mixed and learned quickly from top-level professionals.
He saw what it took day in, day out to progress.
As the 36-year-old defender sat in the Cappielow dressing room and welcomed Welsh into the fold for his loan spell at the start of last season, he quickly saw some of those key traits in his new colleague.
He said: “When Stephen came to Morton he was young, fresh and an infectious personality.
“Obviously coming from the standards he was used to at Celtic, he maintained those when he came to us.
“He helped lift everyone every day in and around the club with those standards on the training pitch and how you conduct yourself away from it.
“Stephen would be a quiet lad at times but if he felt something needed to be said or he wanted to offer an opinion, he did so.
“When someone talks about standards for me, it’s basic fundamentals. I’m 36 and pride myself on them and small daily disciplines.
“It’s about how you apply yourself in training, it’s about how you treat and speak to people, it’s about respect for team-mates and your manager.
“It’s how you absorb criticism from people who are trying to help you and how you look after yourself off the pitch.
“The majority of people only see players in a matchday scenario obviously.
“Many don’t see what goes on behind the scenes – what you do in your house, they
don’t see when you go to bed early because you’re preparing for a game and the little routines. “It’s those little things that you collect to produce good performances on the pitch. “Every game with us, you could see him growing in stature and confidence. That’s why you go out on loan. “I was at Rangers and went to Motherwell on loan. That year was probably the most I’ve ever enjoyed football due to the learning curve. “Terry Butcher took me under his wing and gave me little anecdotes. That’s exactly what happened for Stephen in his six or seven-month spell with us. We had great pros around – myself, Chris Millar, Jim McAlister. “We had a good nucleus and blend – we were tight-knit. “It shows the character that he is, to come into a dressing room like that and not be rocking the boat with an attitude of, ‘I’m a Celtic player, I don’t need to be here and I’m above all you’. It was the opposite. He came in and relished the chance.” Of course, attitude is not enough. You need the ability to play coupled with the mentality to handle pressure. Welsh was able to deal with the rough and tumble of life with the big boys as McLean, in cup action himself tonight on the road at Motherwell, added: “Stephen had to handle himself straight away going into training and showing physical attributes.
“You need to tip your hat to Celtic for allowing him to join Morton for six months because I’m sure he could have joined a Premiership club and got a handful of games.
“But we were happy to get him to be that physical presence the way the manager David Hopkin wanted the team to play.
“It was a more physical style he was building. Maybe black and white to Celtic in terms of how much time he has on the ball. It was part of his learning curve and his development.”
Now his deal is in the pocket, McLean hopes Welsh can keep taking steps forward.
He said: “I don’t think you ever make it as a player.
“I don’t think anyone sits in the house and thinks they’ve made it – maybe unless you’re talking elite level and have won World Cups and that sort of thing.
“But as a player trying to create a career for yourself, you’re trying to find that next little bit to add to your career and make it better.
“It’s brilliant the contract gives him that reassurance that goes with a four-year deal.
“His future is at Celtic and now he can apply himself to give everything to them and develop to become the best player he can.
“I’m delighted he’s earned such a long contract and I hope he uses it as a catalyst to kick on and go further in his career.
“It’s fantastic for him that Celtic are showing such faith in him.”
He helped lift everyone day every around club the with those standards BRIAN McLEAN PRAISES SINGS AFTER WELSH’S LOAN MORTON STINT