Celtic in transfer U-turn as Martin O’Neill’s first new face confirmed

Robin Bairner

12 Jan 2026 07:58 GMT
5 min read

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has made his first big transfer decision since returning to Parkhead by adding a new face to his squad.

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O’Neill has moved to recall centre-back Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell in a bid to strengthen the Hoops defensive options with Cameron Carter-Vickers still on the sidelines due to injury.

Wilfried Nancy had been happy for Welsh to remain with the Well for the remainder of the season, but the new Celtic boss appears to have a different plan for the 25-year-old defender, with Sky Sports indicating that he will be recalled.

Current ETV

Stephen Welsh

D (C)

Motherwell

Stephen Welsh

D (C)

Motherwell

ETV Range

€0.6M - €0.8M

Aberdeen have been interested in a permanent move for the defender, who had been made available for sale, but those hopes have been dashed by the Hoops’ new stance on the player.

Celtic had included a termination clause in Welsh’s Motherwell deal that needs to be triggered by 14 January. Sky Sports reports that they have already done this.

Why have Celtic recalled Stephen Welsh?

Celtic look threadbare in the heart of their defence, with Carter-Vickers set to remain on the sidelines for approximately another three months.

O’Neill has judged that with only Auston Trusty and Liam Scales as senior centre-back options, he would be best served retaining Welsh, who has enjoyed a stellar season with Motherwell.

It is a move that hints Celtic will not do any business this January with regards signing a centre-back.

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Celtic’s January transfer plans

While the Bhoys have already added Julian Araujo to their ranks this January, the Argentine’s arrival came under the guidance of Nancy. Welsh will, therefore, be the first face that O’Neill has added to the Celtic squad.

A centre-forward appears to be a key area where the Parkhead side will seek to recruit this month, with Kyogo Furuhashi and Evan Ferguson a couple of the names mentioned with regards a move to Glasgow’s East End.