Celtic’s goalless draw with Dundee United last weekend was certainly miles off their best.
Brendan Rodgers made four changes to the Premier Sports Cup Final XI and it showed with some players looking like they hadn’t played in some time.
Yang had an off-day while sub Luis Palma was criticised at full-time by Pat Bonner for being too predictable in attack.
But one player, according to captain Callum McGregor, who put in an “outstanding” shift was centre-half Stephen Welsh.
Welsh has been forced to bide his time this season with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales all well ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Scotland under-21s cap has actually only managed two appearances and 175 total minutes of football this entire campaign.
So to come in and help his side towards a clean sheet at a difficult venue in Tannadice was actually quite an impressive feat.
McGregor says Stephen Welsh was ‘outstanding’ vs Dundee Utd
That was definitely the viewpoint of his skipper who waxed lyrical about his teammate at full-time even despite Celts failing to win the game and take all three points.
Manager Rodgers had also praised Welsh after the game.
Welsh made some big interceptions and won most of his aerial duels and McGregor let him know how pleased he was with his input on the day.
And his teammate at the back was also noted.
What the Celtic captain said about Welsh and Liam Scales
“Welshy hasn’t played for a while and was outstanding,” said McGregor.
“He was really good on the ball and the two boys (with Scales) dealt really well with the duels at the top of the pitch well.”
Jim Goodwin’s United were limited to just two shots throughout the entire 90 minutes with both testing Kasper Schmeichel on target.
But that was a testament to the defensive work of Welsh and co. who thwarted the attack.
Welsh has been linked with a loan move away from Parkhead this January coming.
Mechelen are interested in the 24-year-old having previously hoped to sign the centre-half.
