It is not as easy to make the grade at Celtic as some might believe. You can be playing well and starting, but just one bad run of form, and you might never see the starting XI again. That is the level of competition that comes from being at a club where the expectation is to win pretty much every game.

There are many players who have started well early on, only to lose their spot in the team soon afterwards and then float around without a genuine role in the team.

Obviously, it is not great for their careers. But at the same time, it does not do Celtic any good either.

So, it might be the best step forward for Celtic to part ways with some of these players in this upcoming summer transfer window. And they have made that decision regarding one.

Anthony Joseph had reported earlier in the month that Celtic and Stephen Welsh had mutually agreed to part ways this summer.

The Scottish centre-back had been allowed to terminate his contract a year early. It was a goodwill gesture for his services and helping Motherwell take points off Celtic's title rivals last season.

READ MORE: 'Agreed terms' - Anthony Joseph Confirms Celtic Transfer News

Welsh did come through the club's academy ranks and was starting for a while during the 20/21 campaign.

The problem is, that was the worse season in recent Celtic history, as they finished with just 77 points in the league.

Ange Postecoglou arrived the following summer and brought in Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt. Welsh was never a starter again.

Many might question letting someone leave a year early. There was potential to bring in a transfer fee out of Welsh's exit, especially after how well he did while out on loan at Motherwell.

That being said, it would have been far from simple. And in the grand scheme of things, it might not have been a significant transfer fee either.

Let's not forget, Welsh is a 26-year-old centre-back without a role in the team and only had a year left on his contract.

So, letting him go out and find a club for himself might be the better step. It does open up a lot more opportunities for the academy graduate than being available for a transfer fee, even a token one, would have.

It looks like Swansea City might be close to signing Welsh as well. If so, we can only wish him the best in his journey forward in the game.

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