CHRIS SUTTON believes that Carl Starfelt’s return from injury is just as big a boost for Celtic as Callum McGregor’s.
The Celtic support has heavily criticised Carl Starfelt, especially after his first few appearances. He was poor on his debut, but he had just joined the squad that day and was thrown into the starting lineup. However, as he settled in, it was clear to see he was a top defender, and as the league was entering the latter stages last year, he was on fire.
After he got injured with his national team in the summer, he picked up another against The Rangers, meaning he’s been unable to get inconsistent minutes this season. He’s made his return from injury during the World Cup break and has started to regain his fitness levels and will be in contention for a starting spot against Aberdeen next Saturday.
Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton explained his thinking: [Daily Record]
“Callum McGregor is a huge presence for Celtic. It’s obvious his return is a massive boost for Ange Postecoglou. Carl Starfelt wouldn’t have the same sort of status.
“It would be less obvious to suggest keeping him sound in the coming weeks might be just as important to the boss. But that’s what I think.
“It was the same in wide areas and in attack. Chopping and changing to good effect. Defensively, though, it’s not been as seamless. Gaps have appeared. Starfelt has been a bigger miss than some people think.
“The Swedish international built a rock-solid partnership alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers last season. In his absence and with Carter-Vickers also missing games due to injury prior to the World Cup, Postecoglou has turned to Stephen Welsh and Moritz Jenz.
“Those switches haven’t been quite as smooth. Last season, Postecoglou’s men won the title having lost just 22 goals in their 38 top-flight games. They’ve lost 13 in 15 already this term.
“Interestingly, in the period between the Swede getting injured against Rangers at the start of September and returning for the league match at Fir Park over two months later, Postecoglou’s team lost 10 goals in seven outings before he was back in the two games prior to Qatar against Motherwell and Ross County.
“Celtic’s brilliant attacking play has meant they’ve been able to overcome concessions. Losing three goals at Tynecastle or two at home to Dundee United, for example, didn’t cost them points due to explosive firepower at the other end.
“Postecoglou sets up to outscore teams, but he’ll know it’s not always going to flow and you need to be solid to be winning trophies. For all their attacking brilliance last term, success was built firstly on the solidity.
“Starfelt was a key to that. Carter-Vickers has been immense in his 16 months at Celticand proved at the World Cup in his one outing that he is top drawer. But he needs a solid partner. As Starfelt was last season.”
The former Celtic striker has taken a massive u-turn, from giving Starfelt a hard time and unfairly criticising him, he’s turned into one of the Swedish centre-half’s biggest fans.
