Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has avoided a serious injury after exiting Saturday’s League Cup semi-final early and could now be fit to face Bayer Leverkusen, per the Daily Record.
Ange Postecoglou opted to hand Welsh a starting role at Hampden Park alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers with Carl Starfelt still absent.
The pair combined to shut St Johnstone out as the Bhoys sealed their spot in the final with a 1-0 win. But Postecoglou had to withdraw Welsh on 78-minutes due to a potential injury.
St Johnstone wing-back Shaun Rooney caught Welsh with an elbow to the Celtic defender’s head. But the 21-year-old did not suffer a concussion from the incident at Hampden Park.
Welsh could now be available for Postecoglou when his injury-hit Celtic side travel to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday. While Starfelt may also be in with a shout of earning minutes.
Postecoglou’s £4.5m summer signing from Rubin Kazan has missed Celtic’s last three games with a hamstring injury. But Starfelt has now returned to training with the Glasgow giants.
Starfelt has been a key part of Postecoglou’s plans since joining Celtic, with 20 outings in all competitions so far. He had only missed one available game before his recent injury.
Welsh injury update a big boost for Celtic ahead of Leverkusen trip
Welsh avoiding a concussion against St Johnstone will hand Postecoglou a big injury boost for Celtic’s trip to Bayer Leverkusen.
The Australian may be loath to thrust Starfelt back into his plans so soon after returning to training. So, Postecoglou could look to extend Welsh’s run in the Celtic side on Thursday.
Welsh has made up for Starfelt’s absence in recent matches after regaining his place in the Celtic side. The Scotland U21 enforcer had not featured in six Premiership games before replacing Starfelt against Dundee before the international break.
Welsh’s progress with Celtic has ‘delighted’ Postecoglou, via The Scottish Sun, however. So, could now earn only his second Europa League group stage outing this term on Thursday.
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