Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is facing a potential surgery decision after suffering a recurrence of a shoulder injury during a pre-season friendly against Cork City. The 25-year-old was forced off the pitch after his shoulder 'popped out' for the fourth time, prompting manager Brendan Rodgers to address the situation.

Rodgers stated, 'He's done his shoulder again. It's the fourth time it's popped out. When it keeps coming out like that, there's the possibility of an operation, so he has to have a wee think about that.' The injury, which temporarily popped back in, caused significant pain, leading to Welsh's substitution.

Welsh, who has made 68 appearances for Celtic and 107 competitive appearances overall, has been a key player for the team. His injury comes at a crucial time, just a month before the start of the new season. The defender has previously been loaned out, most recently to Mechelen in early 2025.

In other news, Celtic secured a 2-1 win at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, with goals from Luke McCowan and Colby Donovan. Rodgers praised Donovan, saying, 'He's very competitive and I like him. He's very aggressive, he passes forward. He'll become a bit less rash as his career moves forward, but I like his personality and his dominance.'

Meanwhile, Gustaf Lagerbielke, a 25-year-old Swedish defender, has left Celtic to join Braga in Portugal, marking a significant change in the team's defensive lineup.