We are coming off arguably the worst summer transfer window in Celtic history. That certainly takes some doing. Somehow, the Hoops were not able to sign a striker on deadline day. Coming into it, the talk was that they were targeting two strikers and a couple of wingers as well. By the end of it, Sebastian Tounekti was the only signing they had been successful in making.
Adam Idah's exit was a major talking point as well. Brendan Rodgers had talked about how he could not leave unless a replacement was brought in first. And yet, that is exactly what happened. Perhaps the board felt that the £7 million deal was too good to pass up.
Idah was not the only player who left Celtic on deadline day either. Another long-time one did, although, his exit went under the radar amid all the chaos surrounding the club's inability to sign players. Stephen Welsh joined Motherwell on a season-long loan deal.
It is pretty clear that Welsh does not have much of a future at Celtic. It looks like Dane Murray has moved ahead of him in the pecking order, while Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was signed on loan from Manchester City. So, a loan move to Motherwell makes sense for the centre-back.
Celtic player quietly completed exit amid deadline day chaos
Welsh might feel that his exit has come a few years too late. Turn back the clock and there were talks of Italian Serie A clubs being interested in signing him.
Welsh ended up staying on though and it clearly has not worked out for him at Celtic. The chance to play in a top five European league passed him by while he did not get any real chances at Parkhead either. Now 25 years of age, he needs to be playing regular football.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at KV Mechelen. There was talk of a permanent move to the Belgian club earlier in the summer but it did not materialise.
Welsh is now set to remain in the Scottish Premiership. We hope that he has a good time at Motherwell and is able to bring his career back on track. Best of luck to him.