Goal-den moment for Coatbridge star Welsh

Coatbridge ace Stephen Welsh netted the second goal of his Celtic career – and his first in front of fans – to help the Hoops beat Hearts 3-2 in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday.

And the defender admits it was one of the greatest feelings ever to score in front of a packed Parkhead crowd.

The defender struck after 34 minutes, heading home after a cross from Odsonne Edouard to help earn a quarter-final slot.

And it’s the first time the 21-year-old has found the net since his maiden Celtic goal in February last season, when he scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.

Earlier in the season, the former St Andrew’s High School pupil spoke of both his and his family’s frustration that Covid prevented them from sharing the joy of his first-ever goal for the club.

But this time it was a completely different and more enjoyable experience.

Welsh said:“that’s my first goal in front of fans and I cannot even describe it.

“It is probably one of the best feelings I have ever had.

“For me the most important thing is to win the game and if I can contribute to that, then even better.

“But when you score the adrenaline gets to you!”

“The first half was an unbelievable performance, probably the best I’ve seen in a while from a Celtic team.

“In the second half we were off it a wee bit, but that is maybe because of the intensity that we play at and you are going to get a bit tired.

“As a defender, first and foremost I want to keep clean sheets, so not to do that is disappointing for me. We will go and work on things to stop that.”

Delight Welsh celebrates his goal against Hearts