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They are basically reporting what JBA said in his press conference - we would have liked a decision sooner - we have plans in progress to recruit a replacement - we are still in talks with Celtic, Welsh and his representatives

The gaffer

Must confess I don't normally watch any of the pre match press conferences but for some reason watched today's. The manager seemed very definite on the fact that no one was being sold this window...

It was a very clear message which will no doubt have zero impact on the OF stories that will continue to be rolled out multiple times a day until the window closes. Also a big thanks to Lennon Miller for providing us with a healthy GTF fund.

Seems like neither he nor our best players are going anywhere this season. 🙏.

The manager speaks:

Interesting...Wonder if its how to make it permanent or what % of his wages do we pay for a loan

According to STV news at 6, we are in continuing dialogue with Celtic about Stephen Welsh.

The club has as much to offer JBA as he has to offer the club. I’d like to think he sees it that way too.

I doubt they're too bothered about whether he comes back here on loan or not, given they've obviously still been paying a significant part of his wage. He was likely taken back to make a point, and playing him - as weeyin said - enforced that point. If they had a decent offer for him, from us or elsewhere, he wouldn't have got near the pitch.

He isn't eligible as wasn't named in initial 25 man squad before league stage

I hope Stephen and his agent are harassing Celtic to get him back here on loan. Benefits Welsh, (keeps him match fit and in the shop window) benefits Celtic (as in saving some wages + increasing his value) and benefits Motherwell. (Quality player in the squad for remainder of the season)

Journo: How are Callum Hendry and Elliot Watt doing in their fitness battles? JBA: Well I think I described thoroughly last week where they were, and if you rewind a week and then go forward, then they are one week later.

I think MON was going through the motions of playing the backup 11 to show the board he needed more signings.

Hillarious response from JBA. “Concrete rumours and concrete speculation” 😂

Still baffles me as to why Celtic played him in the cup game.

Wonder what the thinking was playing him in the cup? Just to fill a shirt because they wanted to rest others higher up the pecking order? I know they won't care about how potentially impacts on us but if they are thinking there is a chance he will be loaned back surely they know it makes it a slightly less attractive option from our point of view.

I can only think our team has brought more out of him than Celtic could manage.

Bizzarre that Celtic dont apparently rate Welsh. His treatment will surely open eyes.

Another really good press conference from Jens. He takes no nonsense from the journalists. Im sure someone more technie can post it up. Looks as if noone will leave, famous last words, and it push onwards and upwards to see what we can achieve. 1 center back, either Welsh back or A N other, plus an additional one perhaps. Would assume its a left back, but you never know.

Agree, we know top quality will move on from us. All we can do is try have best contract conditions in place to hold them as long as possible but at same time guaranteeing that we are financially rewarded when they do leave.

Welsh not even in the squad for Celtics game tonight.

I think that's the most important thing. Like the players, he's very much an asset to the club. If he chooses, he will move on, nothing but our best can we do about that. The club just need to make sure he doesn't leave for nothing.

I was thinking the same. Must be pretty short odds on a Kille red any match right now.

I’m not sure what JBA’s career plan is but I think it might be more in the direction of managing in EPL or mainland Europe rather than either of old firm teams. Now would Celtic be a stepping stone to help him on that path or a diversion? I think it’s more impressive doing what he’s done with Motherwell than doing anything with either of the uglies. Another season or two doing the same or improving us would be very impressive indeed, making us the Scottish Bodo Glimt. The club may have to have faith and invest some money in order to maintain what we have going just now. Nothing crazy but perhaps more than planned. The increase in crowd sizes is something I’ve not seen in all my years of supporting Motherwell. Finishing higher up the league means more money. Advancing in Europe would be more money. All not guaranteed but very possible from what we have seen in a very short space of time. I’m willing to bet if we can keep this going for next season, the season ticket sales will be thru the roof