Celtic Loan Bhoy Stephen Welsh may be on loan at Motherwell, but his impact this week was felt loudly in the east end of Glasgow.
His late equaliser ensured Rangers dropped points in the title race, handing the Hoops a timely boost at a pivotal stage of the season.
After helping Celtic scrape by Livingston in the end, Kieran Tierney made sure his former team-mate knew the moment had not gone unnoticed.
“I sent a wee Instagram message to him so I’m buzzing for him,” Tierney revealed. [Celtic YT]
Welsh’s path has never been straightforward. Breaking through at Celtic, fighting for minutes, then heading out on several loans. He was brought back to the club in Janaury from Motherwell while Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney looked for more defensive back up. He returned to the Steelmen two minutes before the Janaury window deadline, and it has impacted on Rangers title chances.
11th February 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Rangers; Stephen Welsh of Motherwell celebrates with his team mates after he shoots and scores in the 89th minute to make it 1-1
Tierney was emphatic about the defender’s current form.
“He is flying and they’re [Motherwell] playing brilliant, he’s done really well. He came back here as well, got a couple of appearances and he’s went back there and just kicked on like he was never away.”
For Celtic, the timing could not have been better. Hearts remain six points clear at the summit, but Martin O’Neill’s side have a game in hand. Rangers now face Hearts this weekend, guaranteeing dropped points somewhere.
Before that, Celtic must navigate a tricky trip to Rugby Park.
Neil McCann will now like to help his former club by taking points from Celtic. Welsh dented Rangers on Wednesday. McCann will want Killie to dent Celtic on Sunday.
If O’Neill’s men win, they either leapfrog Rangers or close the gap on Hearts, possibly both if Ibrox ends level. The door has been nudged open midweek.
Now Celtic must be ruthless enough to walk through it.
