Silver linings, consolations and crumbs of comfort were in short supply for Celtic fans but there was one.
In just his second top team appearance Stephen Welsh turned in a good steady performance while all around him his more experienced team-mates fell to pieces.
True, Kris Ajer did bail him out one when Ryan Kent got in behind but over the piece Welsh looked like he understands the game, positions himself well and can do the job without supervision.
Coming from Coatbridge he knew the magnitude of the match and the occasion as the images below demonstrate.
The most concerning aspect from the Derby defeat wasn’t the result or the performance but the lack of spirit shown on the park and in the dug-out. No one seemed that bothered that the match was slipping away with Welsh an exception to that criticism.
Celtic’s next run of fixtures is very demanding, among cup commitments there are league matches at Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibs to navigate.
With the transfer window closed it might be the introduction of Welsh gives the team the sort of lift that Jeremie Frimpong provided a year ago.
There wasn’t a player more gutted at full time than Stephen Welsh but he’s one of the few #Celtic players who can hold their head up high after today’s result.
Thrown in at the deep end and didn’t look out of place. Only his second game for the club ??? pic.twitter.com/eROQtWUZMe
— Chris Doyle (@bychrisdoyle) October 17, 2020
Played well considering thrown into it with little prep. Hopefully learns something from today.
— Séan Walsh (@walshybhoy) October 17, 2020
Can you imagine a team of players that cared as much as that lad?!! He was one of the very little positives from today and he’s still devastated while other players don’t look to give a fuck. Zero fight in that team we have other than a select couple.
— John Gaughan (@JGaughan86) October 17, 2020
He was the only positive in that embarrassment of a performance
— Ciarán (@ciarand77) October 17, 2020
He is 1st team ready
— enattendanthector (@c67cb11f14b0422) October 17, 2020
Agree with that mate, laxalt looks like a player
— Tam57 (@Tam571) October 17, 2020
Stephen you played well remember how it felt, it’s a sore lesson to learn in only your second game.
— linda craig (@lindacr14356022) October 17, 2020
He deserves more game time! I think
Celtic have a Ajer replacemant right here!— xPekingx (@xPekingx) October 17, 2020
Boy done well today, not an ideal game to get thrown into but he can hold his head high with the shift he put in ?
— David McGuire (@davymcguire) October 17, 2020
