In an effort to get game time, Welsh signed a loan with Mechelen in Belgium before making the move of his life to Motherwell. He says he had one conversation with Berthel Askou and he was hooked.
“Going from Celtic to Motherwell doesn’t look the most brilliant move in the world, but…” it made him. “How he coached me on and off the pitch, it was top level,” Welsh recalls. “I didn’t realise how good a decision it was to join Motherwell until close to the end of the season, when you start getting the recognition. I would say that’s all down to how he coached me.”
Players speak about Berthel Askou with something approaching awe and Welsh is no different. “He just gave me pure belief,” he says. “He made the game so simple for the team and that helped me as well.
“Every single day, so detailed, how he analysed teams, how he analysed specific ways of playing against teams. The biggest influence on my career by a distance. He completely changed how my career path turned out.”
The move to Swansea – his Motherwell pal EIijah Just is alongside him – was another good decision. A manager, Vitor Matos, who appreciates him. A dressing room that’s talented and driven. Top of the league after eight games. So far, so good.
Like Berthel Askou and Matos, new Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli trusts him, too. Welsh always had it in the back of his mind that if he kept going with Motherwell and then Swansea that something might happen with his country.
It has – and he’s seized the moment. Three caps should become four on Tuesday. If one win becomes two then we might be reminded of his smiling younger self again.
It takes talent, resilience and good fortune in finding managers who believe in you, but dreams can come true. Welsh is living proof of it.
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