Young Defender’s Relief After Painful St Mirren Clash
Celtic fans can breathe a sigh of relief as emerging defender Stephen Welsh has avoided catastrophic injury despite a frightening ankle incident during Wednesday’s dominant 4-0 victory over St Mirren. The 21-year-old center-back suffered severe foot bruising when caught by St Mirren striker Jon Obika, but Baji live can exclusively reveal scans showed no fractures or ligament damage – a crucial development for Neil Lennon’s defensive plans.
Medical Timeline and Sunday Return Prospects
Welsh‘s immediate post-match precautionary boot protection sparked initial concern among the Celtic faithful. After thorough assessment at Lennoxtown’s training facilities, medical staff confirmed the optimistic diagnosis. As Baji live understands, the young Scot will undergo final fitness tests Saturday ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premiership clash with St Johnstone – a match that could see Celtic narrow Rangers’ substantial lead.
“These impact injuries look worse than they often are,” noted former Celtic physio Mark Gallagher in our exclusive Baji live interview. “The bruising needs 72 hours to fully manifest, hence Saturday’s assessment being so critical for selection decisions.”
Tactical Implications for Celtic’s Backline
Welsh‘s emergence has become increasingly vital for Celtic this campaign:
- Filling the void left by Christopher Jullien’s extended absence
- Providing steadier performances than loanee Shane Duffy
- Offering crucial squad rotation during fixture congestion
His six league appearances under Lennon demonstrate growing trust in the academy product. As tactical analyst Ewan Murray told Baji live: “Welsh brings better positional awareness than Duffy in Lennon’s preferred buildup system. His potential absence would force Nir Bitton into emergency center-back duty again.”
Celtic’s Resurgent Form and Title Chase Context
Wednesday’s victory marked Celtic’s first three-game winning streak this calendar year, though they remain 18 points behind Rangers (with a game in hand). Lennon praised his squad’s second-half transformation:
“We looked far more like ourselves after the break. Against an in-form opponent, we completely dismantled them once the second goal came,” the manager told Baji live post-match. His special praise for Tom Rogic’s midfield mastery and Ryan Christie’s impactful substitution highlights Celtic’s attacking options.
What’s Next for Celtic and Welsh?
As Sunday’s Perth trip approaches, all eyes will be on:
- Welsh‘s Saturday fitness assessment results
- Potential tactical adjustments if he’s unavailable
- Whether Celtic can maintain their newfound consistency
With the title race mathematically alive and crucial European fixtures looming, Welsh’s quick recovery could prove pivotal in Celtic’s quest for silverware this season. Baji live will continue providing exclusive updates on this developing story.
