Celtic have announced that Stephen Welsh has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2020- that’ll be 12 years with Celtic!
Just like Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest the Coatbridge bhoy has been at Celtic for the majority of his life..
Welsh has been a regular in the Celtic Development League side this season and although there has been a few sore results recently there is no doubting his progress.
Playing against Mark O’Hara, Alex Harris and Rory Loy of Falkirk gives a welcome if challenging contrast to the regular opponents that the young Celts face.
Welsh spent two seasons with the Celtic u-17 side, twice winning the title and Glasgow Cup before stepping up into the Development League.
Playing as a sweeper he understands the basics of defending, positions himself well and is confident pressing forward without feeling obliged to ping Beckenbauer passes around for show.
After turning 18 in January his progress has been recognised by a new contract with scouts and agents forever trawling for young talent.
Like a number of his team-mates he has been involved in first team training sessions, if the Premiership is clinched with time to spare it wouldn’t be a surprise if Welsh and Kerr McInroy were given a taste of first team football before the end of the season.