Stephen Welsh sparks Celtic injury fears as he's spotted on crutches despite Brendan Rodgers 'knock' admission

It's been a bittersweet Friday for Stephen Welsh who penned a new four-year deal at boyhood club Celtic.

It was a show of faith from the Hoops for the Scottish defender who has played an understudy role in recent years, but Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on the 23-year-old's efforts at Parkhead. Yet as the news of his new contract was hot off the presses, the centre-half suffered an injury in training that ruled him out of action for the Scottish champions, with new arrival Gustaf Lagerbielke potentially to be thrown in the deep end against Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup with Cameron Carter-Vickers also out.

And while the Irish coach moved to allay fears over Welsh describing his injury as a "knock", the player has now been snapped on social media in crutches and with a moon boot on. It leaves Celtic somewhat short for the weekend's trip to Rugby Park as Rodgers commented earlier: "He picked up a little bit of a knock today which is a shame for him considering he has just signed his deal."

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Welsh said after signing a new deal: “Signing a new contract for the club that I’ve been brought up on and have supported my whole life was, for me, an easy decision to stay at the club for another four years at least hopefully. It’s time for me to kick on now and hopefully I can have a few good seasons. I want to keep improving and continue to play as many games as I can, especially with the manager in now. He’s been massive for me since he’s come in. He’s one of the main reasons that I want to be at the club and I’m just looking forward to starting the season properly and going for it.”

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