Stephen Welsh on leaving Celtic to move to Motherwell

The 25-year-old defender ended up fifth choice centre-back during pre-season, where Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales were firmly established as the preferred defensive partnership, while academy-graduate Dane Murray was also starting to see increased game time.

Auston Trusty has only just resumed training after an injury layoff, while Manchester City loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was signed to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ defensive options, though he is still awaiting his debut and has been missing in various matchday squads.

After the Celtic boss added further depth to his defence, Welsh was advised to look for more consistent minutes away from Celtic. Motherwell proved to be the right move, and he has already impressed since arriving at Fir Park.

Speaking via Daily Record about his move to Motherwell, Welsh said: “At the moment it’s just about coming to play games again. I knew that I wasn’t going to be playing many games at Celtic, that was made clear, so my priority was to go out and play as many games as I can.

“The gaffer made it very open that he wanted me to come here and play, and the style helps. When we spoke to the manager before I arrived, he was very big on the way Motherwell played, and I watched a couple of games before I came, anyway.

“It’s probably easier settling in than it was in Belgium, because there are a lot of Scottish lads and I knew quite a few of the players. I know the league well.”

Welsh’s new teammates will make the visit to Celtic Park this weekend as they aim to continue their hugely impressive unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season, but as a player on loan from Celtic, he’ll have to sit this one out.

Conor Spence