Stephen Welsh has been backed to follow fellow academy product Anthony Ralston's path to staking a regular Celtic claim.
The central defender had minutes limited in the second half of last season but an injury to Carl Starfelt has afforded him the chance to start this season as Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou's starting player alongside fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers. He netted the opener in Sunday's 2-0 win over Aberdeen and Celtic hero Tom Boyd was impressed.
Ralston burst into life last season after looking to be on his way out of the club, and Welsh has been backed for similar after a loan with an option to buy bid from Toulouse was turned down. He told the Daily Record: “It was a very solid performance from Stephen and, obviously, getting a goal was a fantastic bonus to add to the performance and the growing reputation he is getting. On a performance like that, I’m sure he is going to get greater opportunities.
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“Stephen is the guy who is in possession of that jersey right at this minute and I’m sure the manager will stick by that. Like any boy at that age, you need games to either improve or to learn from your mistakes.
"You can only do that by playing on the park. Stephen is getting the opportunity and, hopefully, he’s grasping it much in the manner that Anthony Ralston did before him.
"Anthony has competition from Josip Juranovic for his position and that is what the manager has got now across the pitch in all departments.
“Every single place is up for grabs and that is going to keep people on their toes and make sure they are at their highest levels.
"Stephen has done ever so well and, as I said, you can only play and show your ability when you have that jersey and show yourself in that starting line-up or coming on as a sub."
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