Carl Starfelt feels he is adapting well to Ange Postecoglou’s system and feels ‘more secure’ with his performances for Celtic than in previous months, via quotes by the Daily Record.
Postecoglou added Starfelt to the Parkhead ranks during his first transfer window in charge of the Premiership giants last summer. The Australian raided Rubin Kazan for the Sweden international in a £4.5m swoop to inject extra experience into his first backline in Glasgow.
Starfelt has proven to be a mainstay of the Bhoys’ defence when fit and available with 37 appearances so far. The 26-year-old has also opened each of his outings to date across all competitions, ahead of hosting St Mirren in the Scottish top-flight on Wednesday night.
Starfelt’s time at Parkhead has not been without issue or criticism, however. Postecoglou backed the centre-back to show more than in his early efforts and to prove any doubters wrong in October. He also noted how his ever-changing partner played a detrimental role.
Starfelt feeling ‘more secure’ at Celtic after adapting to Postecoglou
Postecoglou had to chop and change Starfelt’s starting centre-half partner during his first few months at Celtic. But an established pairing with Cameron Carter-Vickers has helped the four-cap enforcer enjoy a revival and produce consistently steady performances.
Starfelt still feels as if he is adapting to Postecoglou’s system and growing into his role at Parkhead. Yet the Swede also believes he has shown progress since arriving in Glasgow.
“I think I am developing like all the other players,” he said. “It is a different style to what many players are used to, and it is different demands with a different coach.
“You have to adapt to them. I feel like I am adapting more and more, and I am in a good place. I feel more secure in my game than I did a couple of months ago, and that’s good.”
Starfelt has helped Celtic keep 13 clean sheets over his 24 Premiership appearances so far this season. His displays have also allowed the Bhoys to boast the division’s best defence with a league-league 17 goals conceded. Rangers have allowed the second-least with 24.
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