Life had been running smoothly for Celtic defender Stephen Welsh during his spell at Motherwell.
However, Cameron Carter-Vickers’ long-term injury in October, combined with the Celtic board’s failure to recruit a replacement in the transfer window, has resulted in Welsh returning early to Parkhead from his season-long loan.
On Sunday, as Celtic defeated Falkirk to secure another three Premiership points, it was Dane Murray who was chosen to start alongside Liam Scales, with Martin O’Neill leaving Welsh on the substitutes’ bench.
With the January transfer window set to close on Monday evening, O’Neill has opened up on Welsh’s real feelings amid speculation of a possible return to Motherwell.
Martin O’Neill on Stephen Welsh’s situation at Celtic
Speaking during his Celtic press conference, O’Neill revealed that any potential move back to Motherwell for Welsh will hinge on whether another centre-back is brought in.
O’Neill made it clear that Welsh ‘obviously’ wants to play for the Scottish champions, but circumstances are currently preventing that.
This is due to Murray, Scales and Auston Trusty all being ahead of him in the Celtic defensive hierarchy, regardless of supporters’ opinions.
With that in mind, O’Neill outlined Welsh’s preference as the clock counts down to the January transfer deadline.
“Welshy has done very, very well at Motherwell,” said O’Neill. “In an ideal world, he would want to go back.
“Again, I don’t really want to stop him when he is on a really good run. That might depend on us getting someone else in.
“We have the three centre-backs, at this minute, and Welshy, he wants to play. Obviously, he would like to play at Celtic. If I can’t guarantee that for him, then he wants to play with Motherwell, where he has done exceptionally well.
“But if we don’t get anybody else in, then that’s the case of wanting to keep him here, and just battling for a place.”