Celtic boyhood friendship put to one side as ex-Hoops pair set for derby clash

Two former Celtic starlets are set to lock horns on Sunday in a crucial derby in the Belgian Pro League.

Stephen Welsh is currently on loan from Celtic to KV Mechelen having made the move in the January transfer window to earn more game time.

Brendan Rodgers sanctioned the exit in December with Welsh having appeared in just two games for the Bhoys this season.

Welsh came through the Celtic academy and was promoted to the first-team during the COVID-19 disrupted 2019/20 campaign.

The former Scotland U21 international made a similar journey to old pal Ewan Henderson, with the pair enjoying a long friendship having both progressed through the ranks at Celtic.

Henderson left Parkhead in 2022 to sign for Hibs after a number of loan spells before making a temporary switch to Oostende.

Beerschot then signed midfielder Henderson in the summer and now, he will meet Welsh in a Belgian top-flight derby at the weekend.

Stephen Welsh vs Ewan Henderson in Belgium Pro League

KV Mechelen and Beerschot are based in the Antwerp province of Belgium, with Welsh’s side really struggling at the foot of the table.

Welsh understands the significance of the occasion but insists his close relationship with Henderson won’t get in the way of the rivalry between the two teams.

As quoted by the Daily Record, Welsh said: “Our friendship is separate from that match. We are professionals and it is an important match for both teams.

“The quality of our team is so high that it is actually strange that we are so low in the table. A bit of rivalry adds a bit of spice to a game, but this will be nothing like Celtic v Rangers.

“You go into the stadium and you can’t hear anything because of the overwhelming noise in an Old Firm game.