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. 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 Carter-Vickers, 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. Boyd, who was in his usual spot ringside seat for the Aberdeen encounter doing his analysis for the club’s TV channel, was impressed by the display of the 22-year-old.
And the ex-skipper 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. 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, with Christopher Jullien looking to have no future, the young Scot will have a part to play.
Boyd said: “Ange will want to keep the players that he knows are the ones who can do something for him and the squad in games. 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.”
Of course, Postecoglou could not be blamed for thrusting Starfelt back into the side when the Swede is fully ready to go given his performances last term. After a shaky start having signed from Rubin Kazan, the Scandinavian hit the required levels to form a solid base with Carter-Vickers.
Boyd has no doubts that, even if Welsh is not able to stay in the side, he’d learn valuable traits from the international pair. However, at the same time, the former Scotland captain says they, in turn, might also be able to collect nuggets from the home boy.
He explained: “Will Stephen learn from playing and training alongside internationals such as Carter-Vickers and Starfelt? Yes, of course he will. And, actually, he might in fact show those boys a couple of things as well because Stephen has his own abilities and qualities.”
While keeping the ball out of Joe Hart’s net is the No.1 priority, there is no doubt an ability to pose a threat in the opposition box at set-plays is a strong string for any stopper to have in his bow. Welsh’s header against the Dons was an ideal example and Boyd smiled: “One thing that he does have is a very good threat in the opposition box.
“I have now seen him score a couple of goals during Stephen’s time in the first team and that is also a big asset to have. If you score goals when you go in there rather than just making up numbers like I used to do back in the day, then it’s a big thing to have in your locker.”
