2025/26 Ins & Outs Discussion

[weeyin]

I said at the time I wasn't a big fan of loans - especially from clubs in the same league. 

He did fill an urgent gap, however, and there's no doubt he has performed well and played his part in our development. 

Now it's time to bring in a permanent replacement. 

[Villageman]

21 minutes ago, fizoxy said:

Mcghee was predominantly a CB for dundee.

Considering how we currently play, a CB who can also play in midfield seems like a decent fit. However, he will still need to be eased back in. 

And if the goals against mean anything not a very good one. JBA however has turned a few below average players from last season into much imprved ones

[Stuwell2]

31 minutes ago, fizoxy said:

Mcghee was predominantly a CB for dundee.

Considering how we currently play, a CB who can also play in midfield seems like a decent fit. However, he will still need to be eased back in. 

With his injury record so far I wouldn’t like to rely on him as a main stay, back up might be fine. 

[claretband]

At least Welsh won’t get player of the year now


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[Kmcalpin]

1 hour ago, fizoxy said:

Mcghee was predominantly a CB for dundee.

Considering how we currently play, a CB who can also play in midfield seems like a decent fit. However, he will still need to be eased back in. 

As mentioned on P & B, probably a replacement for the departing Balmer. 

[Mccus28]

Gutted that we have lost Welsh, he was very good for us.

Im sure we have irons in the fire for several positions though but it does mean getting new players up to speed which takes time.

[claretband]

You know what is bad though? He’ll have inside track on our training and tactics.

Do they sign an NDA in football?


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[Wellsince1976]

Oh bugger. Just saw this on Facebook. Will be missed, that`s for sure. I`m told when the second goal went in against Celtic, he was jumping up and down in the main stand. Anyway, we move on - as we always do.

[steelman1991]

Has there been any “official” confirmation on this. All I’ve seen are a few facebook/X posts saying it’s happened.

[wellfan]

Celtic don’t deserve Welsh. The disdain they’ve shown towards him is ridiculous, and he’ll be a huge loss for us.

[yosemite sam]

SOD and Paul McGinn played CB's against Ceptic and it was probable our best performance of the season. So I don't think we should get too hung up on Welsh leaving. While he fitted well into the system., I felt his one weakness was in the air. Noticeable in the last two games against St Mirren and Hibs.

[Happy Dosser]

25 minutes ago, wellfan said:

Celtic don’t deserve Welsh. The disdain they’ve shown towards him is ridiculous, and he’ll be a huge loss for us.

Whenever I've praised him to Celtic supporters they  stare blankly back, as if they can't believe it. I don't understand how they can be so blinkered (even for OF fans).

Maybe when O'Neill and Maloney saw him playing in  the Hibs game at FP the penny dropped and the interim manager wants him to shore up a weak defence.

[Kmcalpin]

So, as it stands, we're probably looking to bring in a minimum of a striker, left back and central defender. If we lose players to other clubs and/or long term injuries are confirmed that may rise to at least 4 if we include a midfielder too. 

As for outgoings, questionmarks over Halliday, Oxborough, and maybe Osong. Balmer seems to be as good as away. That leaves long term absentees Robinson, Stuparevic and Nicholson to be accounted for. 

A busy and exciting 19 days in prospect then. 

Short term, from P & B, it seems that SOD will be fine.  

[Wellsince1976]

Gave this some more thought walking the mutts, and wonder if you wouldn`t put it past them to take Welsh back to try and weaken us as a competitor. Not saying we`re going to win the league, but we`ll see how much game time Welsh gets at the Piggery. 

[Spit_It_Out]

This is just the negatives of loaning players from the same league maybe it's time to invest in another center back that will do the job for us as well as the striker we desperately need for the title run in!It's time for the Well to get the big bollocks out and keep the momentum going cause the way I see it invest the now and those investments will reap rewards.

In Jens we trust!

[Mad Dog]

1 hour ago, steelman1991 said:

Has there been any “official” confirmation on this. All I’ve seen are a few facebook/X posts saying it’s happened.

https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2026/01/12/stephen-welsh-returns-to-celtic/

[mio]

Gutted to see Welsh go, he’s been one of the best loan signings we’ve ever had at the club. But he’s a loan and it never looked like he’d be permanent unfortunately. I did wonder about this when oneill came back.

rumour is we may get the Rangers boy Nsiala til the end of the season. Looks to be a footballing centre half, young and mobile. Could be a good one too for Jens to transform.

[grizzlyg]

28 minutes ago, Wellsince1976 said:

Gave this some more thought walking the mutts, and wonder if you wouldn`t put it past them to take Welsh back to try and weaken us as a competitor. Not saying we`re going to win the league, but we`ll see how much game time Welsh gets at the Piggery. 

If that is case its strange as you would think they would want him our team v Hearts and rangers 

[weeyin]

23 minutes ago, mio said:

Gutted to see Welsh go, he’s been one of the best loan signings we’ve ever had at the club. But he’s a loan and it never looked like he’d be permanent unfortunately. I did wonder about this when oneill came back.

rumour is we may get the Rangers boy Nsiala til the end of the season. Looks to be a footballing centre half, young and mobile. Could be a good one too for Jens to transform.

Transforming is great, but it's January and we need someone who can be an instant starter.

Players we need to develop and integrate are projects for the summer.

I know it's not easy, but I"d be more interested in signing someone on a permanent basis.

[wellup83]

2 hours ago, wellfan said:

Celtic don’t deserve Welsh. The disdain they’ve shown towards him is ridiculous, and he’ll be a huge loss for us.

I think the likelihood is he'll be out the door. Where he goes remains to be seen but it'd be a sore one if he ended up in the north east. 

[Kmcalpin]

Kofi Balmer's exit confirmed by the club.

[Spit_It_Out]

Lets forget this loan nonsense from rival yes rival clubs in the same league it's time to get a permanent adding value to our club instead of adding value to other rival club.

I am sure Jens will have some gem lined up anyway as more than likely probably knew this was coming.

Best of luck to Mr Welsh And Mr Balmer hope his loan move to Bristol Rovers works out.

 

 

[FirParkCornerExile]

15 hours ago, dennyc said:

I heard we did and could afford him. But he is on £10k plus PW at Celtic for the next 18 months. I would not be surprised to see him playing for them at least until season end. Their current defence is shocking. Just look at how we ran Scales ragged. I suspected he would be recalled as soon as I heard Nancy had been sacked.

I can't believe for a minute we would have matched Celtic 10 grand a week and also don't believe the player would cut himself off from 18mths on 10 grand a week to join us on a permanent move. 

[dennyc]

28 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

I can't believe for a minute we would have matched Celtic 10 grand a week and also don't believe the player would cut himself off from 18mths on 10 grand a week to join us on a permanent move. 

My point was that we could afford the fee but the wages ruled us out. Sorry if that was not clear.