BBC pundit ‘can imagine’ Celtic selling £4.5m star after Ross County clash

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Michael Stewart ‘can imagine’ Brendan Rodgers sanctioning a transfer for Carl Starfelt and building Celtic around Maik Nawrocki after his display at home to Ross County.

The Hoops began their latest Premiership title defence against the Staggies at Celtic Park on Saturday. Rodgers also opted to start Nawrocki beside Cameron Carter-Vickers for the clash with Starfelt only making the bench. And the Swede may soon find his future lies elsewhere.

Spartak Moscow are interested in signing Starfelt as manager Guille Abascal looks to add an experienced option, per Football Scotland. The Russian outfit have been considering tabling an offer for the 28-year-old during the past few weeks. But they could face vast competition.

Carl Starfelt has widespread interest in a transfer from Celtic

The Daily Record now reports that teams in England and throughout Europe are also looking into a transfer with Celtic for Starfelt. Rodgers is also not against letting Ange Postecoglou’s £4.5m transfer from Rubin Kazan in 2021 leaving. Starfelt has two-years left on his contract.

Rodgers spent the same as Postecoglou did on Starfelt for Nawrocki, who agreed to a £4.5m transfer to Celtic from Legia Warsaw in July. The Polish enforcer also penned a five-year deal in Glasgow. Now, he has seemingly taken over from Starfelt as Carter-Vickers’ main partner.

Michael Stewart can see why Brendan Rodgers would now sell

Postecoglou placed great faith in Starfelt beside Carter-Vickers over his two seasons as the manager of Celtic. The Australian used the six-cap international 86 times in all competitions, including for 37 matches last season. Starfelt’s tally would have been higher but for injuries.

Now, Starfelt faces an uncertain future but could have his pick of suitors with Rodgers ready to sanction his transfer away from Celtic. And former Hearts & Hibernian midfielder Stewart can understand why Rodgers would let the Stockholm native leave with Nawrocki to hand.

“Maik Nawrocki looks much more comfortable on the ball than Carl Starfelt does,” Stewart told BBC Sportsound. “You can imagine that might be why Brendan Rodgers wants to build with Nawrocki and is happy with Starfelt leaving.”