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.
This story is from the Vol 56 Issue 14 edition of Celtic View.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Vol 56 Issue 14 edition of Celtic View.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...
Jodie Bartle was delighted to score her first goal for Celtic, a week after her derby strike was controversially disallowed
TOMMY BHOY
Celtic legend was a supporter first, last and always
WOUNDED PRIDE
Christopher Jullien was a frustrated spectator as he recovered from injury, but now that he’s back, he’s determined to play his part along with his team-mates to get back to winning ways
ON THIS DAY
HISTORY OF PLAYERS
KEEP THE FAITH
Manager knows hard work can and will deliver an upturn in fortunes for his Celtic side
THE LAST WORD
NEXT week the Christmas edition of the Celtic View will be out, which means this will be the last column I write in 2020.
FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS APPEAL SPOTLIGHT: THE INVISIBLES
WE continue our spotlight series on the organisations we hope to support through this year’s Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal, with a closer look at the work of The Invisibles, a Glasgow-based voluntary organisation, which aims to provide comfort to those living on the city’s streets.
LIVING THE DREAM
Danny Crainie was proud to wear the Hoops and he continues to back the team as a supporter
EVERYONE IS HURTING AT THE RUN WE'RE ON
IT was a disconsolate home dressing room at Celtic on Sunday, as the team reflected on their first domestic cup defeat in over four years.
9 from NINE
The View wants YOUR views on the Hoops’ remarkable decade of dominance
