Stephen Welsh returns to Celtic

Stephen Welsh has been recalled by Celtic, with the Glasgow club citing that they "need cover" in that area. The Hoops had until 14th January to make a decision whether or not to take him back, and it was originally understood that they wouldn't need him. But with Nancy being unceremoniously sacked, and O'Neill being reinstated till the end of the season, it was decided that Welsh would be needed to further the push to unseat Hearts at the top of the table.

Martin O'Neill on why he decided to recall Stephen Welsh

Speaking to CelticTV, Martin O'Neill said

Well, at the moment, he's enjoying himself immensely at Motherwell. We have this opportunity to do that and then he can go back out again before the end of the window, back to Motherwell if he can".

"I've only had a chance here this morning to just say hello to him. But really in essence, we at this moment until we get some recruits in, then needs must and we can do it.

"I'm totally unaware of the rules at this moment, having been out for some time, but I think I was reminded that we had to do something pretty quickly. If it passed a certain day then we couldn't do it. I think there was a cutoff.

"And as I said, we will see, but we just need him in case we've got anything that happens to any of our defensive players. We've got three at this minute, you've got young Dane who's very inexperienced in that sense, who I think can definitely be a player, I think there's a player there. But if anything happens to those lads at all, then you are in a bit of trouble. So we might look at something again, but we'll see, but that's the reason for it."

This leaves Motherwell in a predicament. For all we have cover of our own, with the likes of Liam Gordon and Stephen O'Donnell able to deputise, as well as Jordan McGhee slowly making his way into the fold, Welsh's impact was demonstrable and difficult to replicate.

Welsh has made a significant impact in his 15 appearances for the Claret and Amber. Aside from being in the premiership's most defensively resolute team so far this campaign, Welsh has picked up some impressive stats. He's had an average 77.1 touches per game, average 92% pass completion rate, 6 clean sheets, an average 6.4 clearances per game, and average 1.4 interceptions per game. These speak of a defender that, while being defensively resolute, is in no way afraid to have the ball at feet and play out.

As has seemed constant across all the signings we've made this season, as well as with those who have been in Lanarkshire for longer, Welsh talks about how influential the manager was in his decision to switch from green and white to claret and amber. In interviews, both with the club and externally, Welsh credited the manager and coaches' clarity in their philosophy as being one of the main reasons we've had so much success this season, and the fact that "everyone knows exactly what we’re doing. Every single player in every position knows exactly what they should be doing".

In fact, only two weeks ago, Stephen Welsh spoke to club media, speaking of how enjoyable he's found his loan move to Lanarkshire.

It doesn't feel like a loan. It's been a great few months for me. I've loved every minute of it, and I hope it continues.

So for all Welsh will be a massive loss, having taken to our style of play like a duck to water, you'd hope that the next man up will be just as capable.

So speaking of, how do we replace him? Well, barring a permanent bid put in for him by Motherwell - which would both require the player to take a pay cut, and Celtic to sign defensive cover in the window - it will be near impossible to replace him like for like, but we can certainly replace his attributes in component parts.

With the style and quality of play that Jens Berthel Askou demands of his players (especially defenders), and the expectation to be robust and disciplined, yet also comfortable with the ball at feet in pressured situations, the sort of player we'd require will almost certainly need time to bed in. With Welsh having come in on Deadline Day back in August, it was pleasantly surprising to see him start less than two weeks later against Dundee. However, that seems to have only been possible because of the philosophy coached into him throughout his academy career, which aligns almost exactly with how Motherwell play under Askou. When looking for a suitable replacement, it would therefore be prudent to assess defenders with similar levels of understanding for the way we play, so as to get them hitting the ground running similarly quickly.

Regardless, we at the Dispatch wish the loanee nothing but the best as he leaves us, because we have no choice than to do as much. He's been fantastic for us in the 15 games he's played, but we have to trust in the players he leaves behind to be able to fill that gap.

As it always seems in football, it's next man up.