HIGH HOOPS FOR WELSH
STEPHEN WELSH proved Ange Postecoglou’s judgement spot-on with his starring show on the opening day of Celtic’s title defence.
Now former skipper Tom Boyd believes the Parkhead kid can keep improving and put up a real fight to stay at the forefront of the gaffer’s thoughts and stake his claim for a regular starting slot.
With Swedish international Carl Starfelt not ready to return, Welsh got the nod ahead of new signing Moritz Jenz for the day-one defeat of Aberdeen.
Impact
The Scotland Under-21 captain made an instant impact with the first goal of the team’s campaign which laid the platform for the victory.
More crucially, alongside first-pick Cameron CarterVickers, Welsh was able to cap the performance with an all-important clean sheet as Celtic went straight back to the summit of the table after just 90 minutes of the flag fight.
Postecoglou made it clear he had no interest in allowing the defender to leave Glasgow’s East End after an offer was received by the club from French outfit Toulouse.
The manager feels Welsh can keep making steps within his squad and play a key role in the months ahead.
And ex-skipper Boyd is convinced there can be more to come as he said: “It was a very solid performance from Stephen and, obviously, getting a goal was a fantastic bonus to add to the performance and the growing reputation he is getting.
“On a performance like that, I’m sure he is going to get greater opportunities.
“Stephen is the guy who is in possession of that jersey right at this minute and I’m sure the manager will stick by that.
Mistakes
“Like any boy at that age, you need games to either improve or to learn from your mistakes. You can only do that by playing on the park. “Stephen is getting the opportunity and, hopefully, he’s grasping it much in the manner that Anthony Ralston did before him.
“Anthony has competition from Josip Juranovic for his position and that is what the manager has got now across the pitch in all departments.
“Every single place is up for grabs and that is going to keep people on their toes and making sure they are at their highest levels.
“Stephen has done ever so well and, as I said, you can only play and show your ability when you have that jersey and show yourself in that starting line-up or coming on as a sub.
“He certainly has that role for what he is doing just now.”
Boyd can fully understand why Postecoglou has chosen to keep the Coatbridge-born star in position with Celtic looking to challenge on all fronts at home and in Europe.
Last term, the boss had to contend with serious injury issues and Boyd said: “Ange will want to keep the players that he knows are the ones who can do something for him in games.
Options
“Last year, we saw Stephen going into the side and doing ever so well before subsequently he missed out with Carter Vickers and Starfelt being the partnership.
“But the club and the manager need to have those options. There needs to be back up and players who can step in and do the job.
“We had a horrendous injury situation last season at times and there were times when the squad was down to the bare bones.
“So that performance against Aberdeen on the opening day of the season with a clean sheet, his display overall and a goal augurs well for his future.”