Celtic have rejected a second attempt by French side Toulouse too sign defender Stephen Welsh, according to Sky Sports.

The latest offer was for a season long loan with an option to buy at around £3.5m but this has been rejected as the Scotland Under 21 defender and Celtic Academy graduate is very much part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans for the new season which gets underway on Sunday when Aberdeen are the visitors to Celtic Park for the Scottish Premiership opener.

Celtic signed Christopher Jullien from Toulouse in July 2019 for a transfer fee of £7m and the defender is thought to be available for either a loan move or permanent transfer. While wages might be an issue, surely he would be a viable option for his old club if they are eager to recruit a new central defender?

Stephen Welsh Photo Steve Welsh

Welsh meanwhile is odds on to start against Aberdeen on Sunday alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in the heart of the Celtic defence after Ange Postecoglou confirmed at today’s Media Conference that Carl Starfelt is a definite non-starter for the flag day opener.

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