Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers reveals Stephen Welsh shoulder issue may require surgery

Stephen Welsh will have to consider surgery after injuring his shoulder for a fourth time in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Cork, according to Brendan Rodgers.

Midfielder Luke McCowan opened the scoring for the Scottish champions in the inaugural Cork Super Cup game in Ireland in the 28th minute with a sweet strike from just inside the box but a mix-up in the Hoops defence in the 67th minute, with interval substitute Welsh culpable, led to an equaliser from Matthew Murray.

There was more misery for the 25-year-old centre-back, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Belgian side Mechelen, when he had to go off with his arm strapped up to protect yet another shoulder problem.

Eighteen-year-old Colby Donovan, who was substituted before coming back on to replace Welsh, scored the late winner with a header.

Hoops boss Rodgers confirmed Welsh’s situation to Celtic TV, saying: “He’s done his shoulder again.

“It’s the fourth time that it’s popped out so I think you know when it keeps coming out like that, there’s the possibility of an operation. So, he has to have a wee think about that.

“I think by the time the physios got on, it popped back in, but the pain was too sore so we took him off.”

Rodgers described the match against the League of Ireland outfit at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as a “really good exercise” for his side, which was far from full strength and which was much changed by the final whistle.

The Northern Irishman said: “First half, really good. We obviously changed the team and a lot of the young players in the second half will have learned from that.

“We didn’t quite keep the ball so well and gave up the ball too cheaply.

“But overall, still find that Celtic mentality to keep going right to the very end and I’ve always said there’s never a friendly when you play for Celtic. It’s always a test because every team will want to always beat you.

“So we kept going right to the very end and Colby, who’s been excellent, got the winning goal.”

Celtic made it two wins out of two in pre-season after a win against Queen’s Park last Friday and will head off to Portugal to continue their preparation for the upcoming campaign.

Rodgers said: “Obviously come the weekend, the international players will be back involved in the game (against Estrela da Amadora).

“But the start to the pre-season has been really good and we’ve got to continue working very, very hard. I think that’s the nature of pre-season.

“There’s no let-up, there’s nothing easy, got to work to build that foundation of fitness and then we’ll be, as I said, fully prepared, but we’re looking forward to Portugal.”

Meanwhile, Celtic announced Gustaf Lagerbielke has joined Braga on a permanent transfer.

The 25-year-old Sweden defender joined the Parkhead club from Elfsborg in 2023 but spent last season on loan at Twente in the Netherlands.