STEPHEN WELSH admits he would rather have not made his Celtic breakthrough this season if it had meant a winning team on the pitch.

The central defender made his 21st appearance of the campaign in Saturday’s goalless draw against Hibs at Easter Road.

The 21 year-old’s form has been one of the few positive stories to emerge from Parkhead over the past nine months but he insists that has been largely overshadowed by the team enduring a trophyless campaign.

He said: “It has been a breakthrough season for me but it’s not about me. I’d rather not have played in the team and won.

“It’s good to break through but next year it’s about coming back and being part of a winning team. That is the most important thing when you are at Celtic.

“We know we have to go again next year. We need to get our rest over the summer and regroup. We need to come back fitter and stronger for next season.

“We don’t know what will happen with the manager situation but the club will take care of that.

“It’s important for the players to come back in good nick. We’re going into the Champions League qualifiers straight away so the games will come thick and fast.

“It’s important to be ready.”

Eddie Howe is expected to be confirmed as the new Celtic manager shortly and Welsh knows he will need to prove his worth all over again.

He added: “We’re all pretty calm about it. The club will deal with it the way they should.

“We’re positive about what the future holds regardless if it’s a new manager and coaches, whatever, we’ll be ready to work hard for them and do well.

“I think it’s natural to think they will be watching if you have an idea a new face is coming in. You want to go out and prove how good you are, prove you should be in the team next season. That’s all you can do as a player.

“Obviously, Eddie Howe was a fantastic manager for Bournemouth over the last few years. He fits the criteria. He plays good football from what I saw so it’s exciting more than anything.”

Celtic drew a blank again on Saturday and Welsh conceded it has been a recurring problem.

He added: “In end of season games sometimes people take their foot off the accelerator, but we tried our hardest out there to win the game.

“It was pretty much the story of the season – we can’t score goals. 

“It’s been a problem breaking teams down this season. It’s not like creating chances, it’s maybe the final ball or the finish hasn’t been as good.

“It’s something we’ll need to do a lot of work on. But we’ll regroup and go again.

“It’s the fine details that have let us down this season and the overall performances have not been good enough. But hopefully the performances and results will be better next season.”