Stephen Welsh comments on the Celtic manager situation

This summer promises to be one of change for Celtic. A new manager is set to come in, while a number of players are expected to head for the Parkhead exit door as new faces could arrive in order to replace them.

Hopefully it looks like the appointment of the new manager is getting closer, even if a hands on arrival on the coaching pitches might be a little further away.

Stephen Welsh is someone who managed to break through into the first-team last season. His run of games after being brought in will undoubtedly have given him a lot of confidence. For the latter part of the season Welsh and Kristoffer Ajer were the first-choice duo in the heart of defence for the Hoops.

Ajer is expected to leave the club this summer though with just a year left on his current deal. As reported by The Scottish Sun, talking about his defensive partner, Welsh said:

"“Kris has been fantastic for the last four or five years — he’s been so good, especially when I came into the team.“He has helped me so much. Whatever happens happens, but he’s a fantastic player and I’m sure he can play at the top level.”"

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Welsh has also spoken about the Celtic manager situation

It’s great to have seen that partnership develop, especially with Ajer still relatively young too at 23 years of age. And if the Norwegian does move on over the summer, the Hoops’ defence will need some reinforcements. Jullien could miss the start of the campaign, while Shane Duffy’s loan spell has ended as well.

But one would think that a manager will be appointed before new signings are made. And Welsh spoke on the managerial situation at the club as well. As reported by The Scottish Sun, he said:

"“We’ll let the board deal with the manager situation — they’re very good at it. I think it will be OK.“We know the games are going to come thick and fast. It’s just about adapting and dealing with it.“We’ve always had really early qualifiers in the past couple of years. We’ve got big friendlies coming up against good sides like West Ham.“They will be tough games so we have to come back in good shape.“If every player comes back in good nick that’s OK and we’ll let the club deal with it in the proper way.“I think everyone has to prove themselves with someone new coming in.”"

Welsh has done well since coming into the first-team setup. But even then, the Hoops might need to sign one or more centre-backs in the upcoming summer transfer window. There is not much depth in the position at all and the club cannot hope to challenge for the Premiership title when they do not have a solid defence.