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Celtic youths

Defender signs new three year deal

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Aitchison Welsh Watson Campbell McInroy

Stephen Welsh has signed a three year professional contract after helping Celtic’s u-17 side to the double of league title and Glasgow Cup.

Like Jack Aitchison, Welsh is from the 2000 age group, coming through the ranks as part of the club’s partnership with St Ninian’s in Kirkintilloch

During the season just completed the 16-year-old formed a solid central defensive partnership with Wallace Duffy after initially breaking through at right-back.

Like all of his team-mates the 4-0 Glasgow Cup Final victory at Ibrox was the highlight of the season as Celtic retained the trophy for the third season running.

Despite being eligible for next season’s u-17 side the Coatbridge bhoy will be pushing for a place in the Development League where he could feature at right-back or as sweeper.

The jump from u-17 to Development League is a tough one to take with only Regan Hendry, Mark Hill and Calvin Miller able to establish themselves in Tommy McIntyre’s side during the term just finished.

Anthony Ralston took an alternative route making a favourable impression on Queens Park before being recalled by Celtic at the turn of the year.

Injury halted Ralston’s progress but he did manage to make his top team debut away to St Johnstone before recently signing a new three year contract.

After signing his new deal he said: “I was here only last year signing a two-year contract, so to be brought in a year into that to sign a three-year deal is a big achievement. I’m very proud.

I’ve been a Celtic fan all my life as well so on a day like this, to sign a big contract for the club I’ve supported, makes me very proud and my family, who were all with me, are too. I’m really happy.

I can’t put it into words other than to say it has been unbelievable. From being such a young age coming to the club and working my way up I could never imagine back then that I’d be sitting here at 17 saying that I’d made my debut and signed a three-year contract, especially as a fan.”

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