Welsh's Well return for 'unfinished business' as Maswanhise stays

Stephen Welsh has returned to Motherwell on loan until the end of the season after Celtic signed fellow centre-half Benjamin Arthur on loan from Brentford.

And the January transfer deadline passed with Scottish Premiership top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise still at Fir Park despite speculation linking a number of clubs with the Zimbabwe forward.

Celtic had recalled 26-year-old Welsh, with returning interim manager Martin O'Neill citing the lack of cover with Cameron Carter-Vickers.

But fans of the Fir Park club will be delighted at the centre-half's return after he has played a key role in their surge into fourth in the Scottish Premiership table.

The Scot has contributed towards nine clean sheets for Jens Berthel Askou's side.

"We welcome back Stephen with open arms, knowing that he has unfinished business to attend to here with us," Askou stated.

"The dialogue with Celtic has been good and transparent all the way through, and we are absolutely delighted that we found a solution that sends him back to Fir Park to continue his development with us."

Earlier in the day, Motherwell had insisted Maswanhise would not be sold in the winter transfer window, despite reported deadline day interest from Anderlecht.

The Zimbabwe international has netted 18 goals in all competitions this term, 13 of which have come in Scotland's top flight.

Speaking to BBC Scotland post-match, the Dane added: "What's important is we have a plan that he's here, and we're going to stick to that plan, because he's adding value to the team.

"His performances and the team's performances are adding value to him, which will benefit him when he will move on eventually, and it will benefit the club.

"Until then, we are building a very, very strong team around his qualities, making sure we service him enough, and then it's up to him to keep doing what he's doing.

"It's a discussion when the right club comes in at the right time, and we decide that it's time for him, which is not now."