Celtic to recall Murray ahead of Welsh heading to Belgium

The Celtic Star

·31 December 2024

Celtic to recall Murray ahead of Welsh heading to Belgium

Celtic are set to recall centre-back Dane Murray from Queens Park ahead of Stephen Welsh’s proposed loan move to KV Mechelen…

Ange Postecoglou manager of Celtic with Vasilis Barkas and Dane Murray of Celtic after the during the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round First Leg between Celtic and FC Midtjylland at Celtic Park on July 20, 2021. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

As reported by Scott Burns, the 21 year-old central defender is set to be recalled from his season long-loan at Scottish Championship side Queens Park due to Stephen Welsh leaving for the Belgian Pro-League.

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Homegrown rule for Europe

One of the main factors behind Rodgers recalling Celtic’s academy prospect is the homegrown rule for Europe. The homegrown quota requires teams in UEFA competitions to have a minimum number of players who have either came through the club’s academy, or the academies of other teams in the same country.

Stephen Welsh at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Welsh exiting for Belgium would reduce that threshold for Celtic, therefore Murray returning to the Scottish champions makes sense ahead of Champions League encounters against BSC Young Boys and Aston Villa next month.

Murray has impressed during 20 appearances for Queens Park

Murray may be disappointed hearing news of his departure as it’s the first time in his senior career he has played consistently without getting injured.

Making 20 appearances for the Spiders this season, the 6ft4 defender has started every game for Callum Davidson’s side in the Scottish Championship this season.

Dane Murray of Celtic seen during the UEFA Champions League qualification match between FC Midtjylland and Celtic at MCH Arena in Herning. Photo: Gonzales Photo/Lasse Lagoni

Murray has only featured for Celtic on two occasions in his career which came under Ange Postecoglou at the beginning of his tenure in the 2021/2022 Champions League qualifiers against FC Midtylland. Celtic had a centre-back crisis but the then 17 year-old performed admirably across the two games against the Danish champions.

Hampered by long-term injuries, Murray’s return could see the emergence of a fourth centre-back option for Celtic. Replacing Welsh in the market would be unnecessary given Murray’s talents.

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