Celtic Defender Welsh Faces Potential Shoulder Surgery After Injury Recurrence

Celtic defender Stephen Welsh faces the possibility of surgery after suffering a recurrence of a shoulder injury during a pre-season friendly against Cork City, marking the fourth time the injury has occurred. Manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed the severity of the issue, noting the injury's repeated nature might necessitate an operation, and Welsh was forced off the pitch due to intense pain despite the shoulder popping back in. This setback complicates Celtic's defensive options, especially as Sweden defender Gustaf Lagerbielke has recently transferred to SC Braga and Maik Nawrocki moved on loan to Hannover, leaving the club with only four central defenders available. In the same match, Luke McCowan and 18-year-old Colby Donovan scored to secure a 2-1 victory, with Rodgers praising Donovan's competitiveness and footballing ability while also noting his need to temper rashness as he matures. Welsh, who has been loaned twice recently and made 107 appearances for Celtic, is at a critical point in his career as the club prepares for the upcoming season. Rodgers emphasized the importance of competition in the defensive roles and acknowledged the team’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad amid these challenges.