FAN SERVICE

Stephen Welsh on dealing with defeat, striving for success and the privilege of pulling on the Hoops as a lifelong supporter

- JOE DONNELLY

ON February 2, 2020, Celtic travelled to New Douglas Park to take on Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership. Against the run of play, the home side took the lead ahead of the half-hour mark when Marios Ogkmpoe headed home from a corner.

Eight minutes later, Odsonne Edouard pulled the Hoops level, before three late goals – one from Chris Jullien on 78 minutes, another from Edouard three minutes later and a fourth from James Forrest in added time – ensured the champions returned to Glasgow’s East End with three points.

Neil Lennon’s men extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points in the process that day, on an afternoon where 20-year-old Stephen Welsh made his senior level debut.

The Celtic Youth Academy graduate looked confident and composed throughout his 76 minutes on the pitch, and the fledgling centre-back proved he was ready to rub shoulders with the stars of Scotland’s top flight.

Despite featuring in the manager’s matchday squad on several occasions this campaign, Welsh’s next experience at this level came during the recent Glasgow derby. In for the injured Jullien, the youngster lined up alongside Shane Duffy and Kris Ajer in a back three and again carried himself well despite the result.

Last Thursday, Welsh started against AC Milan, which extended his taste of first-team football so far to an emphatic league win, a disappointing derby defeat and a well-contested UEFA Europa League group-stage encounter.

While laser-focused on his responsibilities as a Celtic player, the lifelong Hoops fan admits he’s living the dream.