No Euro move for Celtic defender after loan bid turned down

Celtic have no interest in allowing centre-back Stephen Welsh to depart.

Reports emerged of a loan bid from French side Toulouse as they look to bolster their squad following their return to Ligue 1.

Welsh, whose current deal runs until 2025, was third-choice centre-back last season under Ange Postecoglou, playing back-up to Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers. He still featured 24 times for the Scottish champions.

Postecoglou is keen for the 22-year-old to remain part of the squad.

According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic have rejected the loan bid from Toulouse with Welsh viewed as an important member of the squad.

It means Postecoglou currently has five centre-back options with Starfelt, Carter-Vickers and Welsh, plus Christopher Jullien and recent addition Moritz Jenz.

With Starfelt injured the Scotland Under-21 star has been a regular starter during pre-season, as he did in the weekend’s win over Norwich City before making way for Jenz in the second half.