Celtic defender targeted by Neil Lennon for summer move

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon reportedly wants to sign Stephen Welsh after taking over at Rapid Bucharest earlier this week. The Irishman rates Welsh highly and wants him to join the Romanian club this summer.

As reported by The Sun, Lennon is keen to raid his former club for the young central defender.

Lennon gave Welsh his Celtic debut in 2020 away to Hamilton Accies and since then, the Coatbridge Bhoy has gone on to make 66 appearances from the club, scoring 4 times and assisting once.

Welsh was given a new contract last summer by Brendan Rodgers, signalling that he saw the former Scotland U21 Internationalist as one of his central defenders moving forward. An injury followed and Welsh found himself down the pecking order but continued to work and found himself in the manager’s thoughts – even starting ahead of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki in the game against Rangers after Christmas.

Welsh has three years remaining on his current Celtic deal and is a useful squad member given his quality as well as homegrown status. However, he may be looking for more first team opportunities that Brendan cannot guarantee moving forward.

The 24-year-old started in the 3-2 win over St Mirren at the weekend but was forced from the field in the second half with what looked like a recurrence of his shoulder injury. However, it is hoped that he will be fit to play a part in training ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final against Rangers.