No Plymouth exit for Stephen Welsh but Marco Tilio is off to Vienna | OneFootball

Stephen Welsh will not be moving to Plymouth Argyle, while Marco Tilio looks set to sign for Rapid Vienna…

29th July 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: Pre Season Football Friendly, Celtic versus Wolverhampton Wanderers Stephen Welsh of Celtic FC on the ball. Photo ActionPlus Peter Fitzpatrick

Welsh returned to Celtic following a loan stint at KV Mechelen, and there was interest from the English League One club in securing his services.

Celtic initially hesitated but eventually approved the 25-year-old’s move to the Pilgrims this week, according to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph. However, Tom Cleverley’s side have signed former Galatasaray centre-back Mathias Ross on a free transfer, making Welsh surplus to requirements.

Stephen Welsh, defender of KV Mechelen controls the ball during the Jupiler Pro League match between KV Mechelen and KAA Gent on February 7, 2025 in Mechelen, Belgium, 07 02 2025 Mechelen. Photo Nico Vereecken

The Scotland U21 international was in demand in Belgium, and Mechelen tried to sign him permanently at the start of the transfer window, but negotiations ultimately fell through.

Welsh faces stiff competition for a centre-half spot from Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and Auston Trusty, while Jahmai Simpson-Pusey arrived on loan from Manchester City and Dane Murray aims to make his breakthrough following a new contract extension last week.

Marco Tilio of Celtic Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 16 July 2025 Estadio Algarve Portugal Photo Carlos RodriguesShutterstock

In other news, Marco Tilio is poised to complete his move from Celtic to Rapid Vienna.

The winger seemed set to join the Austrian club on loan earlier in the transfer window but remained at Celtic due to a lack of available attacking wide options.

Brendan Rodgers remains keen to strengthen those positions and appears likely to secure reinforcements before the transfer window shuts. That would clear the path for Tilio’s transfer, with Austrian publication Kurier reporting that Celtic have now approved his move to proceed.

Reports suggest that discussions have been ongoing, with the terms of the agreement undergoing some slight changes. The move was initially planned as a costly loan, with Rapid set to pay approximately €400,000 upfront and an option to purchase for a round sum should he feature in 20 or more games.

Now though a simple purchase agreement has been reached with Rapid paying around €1.5m for the Australian international winger.

Rodgers confirmed Tilio’s departure at yesterday’s media conference. When asked about any incomings, the Celtic boss replied: “I don’t have anything new to tell you. I know that Marco Tilio will leave. But nothing imminent on any new arrivals.”

Conor Spence

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