Brendan Rodgers confirms Celtic player needs surgery

Celtic have already suffered their first big blow of the season. They lost 1-0 away to Kilmarnock to crash out of the Scottish League Cup in the second round. The club’s hopes of repeating the treble are already over. And even more worrying was the performance on the day. Brendan Rodgers’ side are looking tired and out of ideas just two weeks into the new campaign. This is not the start that the Northern Irishman would have envisioned when he completed his Parkhead return.

This is the first domestic tournament Rodgers has failed to win as Celtic manager. He had won the previous seven, in his first stint. A disappointing end to that remarkable run.

Things are not looking good for Celtic on the injury front either. They have starters like Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate out due to injury. And recently, the name of Stephen Welsh was added to that list as well.

It was very recently that Welsh agreed a four-year contract extension with Celtic. But it will be a while before we get to see the Scottish centre-back on the pitch again.

Rodgers confirms Celtic player requires surgery

As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Rodgers told BBC Radio Scotland that Welsh will be out for three or four months. He will require an operation.

That is the last thing that Celtic needed to hear right now. They are missing so many players already, especially in defence. Carter-Vickers is also out injured while Carl Starfelt left the club earlier this summer.

Welsh is the only centre-back at the club with some experience. And he is now out as well. That leaves Rodgers with Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Liam Scales and Yuki Kobayashi to pick his central defensive partnership. Between the four of them, they have made 24 appearances for Celtic.