It looks like this could be a busy winter for Celtic. The club have been linked with quite a few players in recent weeks including high-profile names like Kieran Tierney, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Christian Eriksen. On the other hand, there are plenty who could head in the opposite direction as well.
One player who has been constantly linked with a move away from Celtic without it ever materialising is Stephen Welsh. What does the future hold for the centre-back though as he continues to struggle for first-team opportunities?
Well, it looks like Celtic are finally ready to part ways with the centre-back. However, Welsh will only be leaving on a loan basis.
As reported by the Daily Record, Celtic are ready to let Welsh join KV Mechelen on loan. The Belgian side have already tabled a couple of offers for the defender and the Glasgow giants are set to sanction the move in the January window.
Celtic ready to sanction 24-year-old's move to Belgian club
Welsh came through the ranks at Celtic and actually played a decent bit of football when first breaking into the first-team picture in the 2020/21 season. That was a historically bad campaign for the Hoops though and in the following summer, they would sign Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt.
The rest is history. Celtic have won three straight league titles since then and look well on their way to a fourth on the trot. But when it comes to Welsh, it has not been the most fruitful time as he has never really developed into a starter or even the third-choice centre-back.
Now, at 24 years of age, he needs to be playing more regular football. He clearly is not going to get that at Celtic. So, a January exit makes sense for all parties.