Stephen Welsh says he will return to Celtic this summer a better player than when he departed in January.
The central defender joined Belgian top-flight outfit KV Mechelen on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has since established himself as a regular in the team as the season comes to a close.
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Welsh thinks his loan will only serve him well when he returns to Glasgow's east end this summer: "100 per cent, I will go back to Celtic as a better player," he said [Record].
"Tactically, technically I am better and I am also a lot fitter with the regular game time and being up to speed playing every week.
"I will also be going back much improved having played regularly in one of Europe’s top leagues.
"Whatever happens I am going back as a better player and person. I have also matured a lot, living away from and outside of Glasgow.
"It has been good going to a club where I know if I do well I will play.
"It has given me a lot of confidence to go out and play and show I can be an important member of a team.”
Welsh has just over two years remaining on his Celtic contract.
He only played for Brendan Rodgers' side twice this campaign before he departed on loan.
"We will see what happens in the summer, I will obviously go back to Celtic," he said.
"I have two years left and so the plan is to go back to Celtic. I will go back to pre-season and see what happens from there on.
"I have spoken to Darren O’Dea and John Kennedy a few times, asking me how I am getting on. I just like to get my head down and get on with it, as I have done throughout my career."
