Josip Juranovic and Carl Starfelt, both of whom were recruited by Ange Postecoglou during his tenure at Celtic, are now facing the prospect of relegation with their respective clubs in Europe.
Juranovic, who left Celtic in January 2023 after an 18-month stint, joined Union Berlin, a team that was competing for a Champions League spot at the time of his arrival.
However, the situation has dramatically changed, and Union Berlin now finds itself in a relegation playoff position with only one game left in the season. This is a stark contrast to the ambitions the club and Juranovic might have harboured during his transfer.
Meanwhile, Carl Starfelt, who departed Celtic six months after Juranovic during the summer of 2023 following Brendan Rodgers’ arrival at the club, is also in troubled waters. His current team, Celta Vigo, is dangerously close to the relegation zone in La Liga. With three matches remaining, including a crucial clash against fellow strugglers Granada, Celta Vigo is only four points clear of relegation. The tension is palpable as each game could dramatically alter their fate.
he initial prospects at Union Berlin and Celta Vigo seemed promising for Juranovic and Starfelt, but the reality of their situations highlights how quickly circumstances can change in football.
Fans often remark that “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” a saying that seems particularly apt for these two players at this point in their careers.
