Welsh deserves Scotland chance - Matos

[Huw Evans Picture Agency] Vitor Matos reckons Stephen Welsh deserves his first Scotland call-up based on his impressive start to life at Swansea City. Welsh joined Swansea on a free transfer in the summer having been allowed to leave Celtic despite having a year to run on his contract with Scottish giants. The centre-back arrived in Wales with the challenge of breaking into a Swansea side where Ben Cabango and Cameron Burgess were regulars at the heart of defence last season. But after Burgess suffered a long-term Achilles injury in the opening game of 2026-27, Welsh has seized his chance in some style. The 26-year-old has played in all seven of Swansea's league matches this season, with his fine form earning him a place in Sebastien Pocognoli's first Scotland squad. "I think he's performing really, really well," said Swansea head coach Matos. "He fits straight into the style and in the group as well. "[I am] really happy for him, really happy that he can fulfil that goal or dream [by being called up by Scotland], and then wish him all the best on the time with the national team." [Getty Images] Welsh will hope to sign off before the international break on a positive note when Swansea take on Lincoln City on Saturday (15:00 BST). He will then join up with Scotland for Nations League matches against Slovenia (home and away), North Macedonia and Switzerland. Welsh made 70 senior appearances during his long spell at Celtic, joining Swansea having impressed while on loan at Motherwell last season. Matos reckons there is more to come from the former Scotland Under-21 cap. "[He is] really good offensively, like I said in the beginning when we signed him," he added. "He's a player with right foot playing on the left side, but he coped so well with that. "Of course, he knows that there's things we can always improve, but that's the culture, let's say, of the club where we are now."