Carl Starfelt’s decision to leave Celtic in the summer was one that took the supporters by surprise.
After sealing a domestic treble to add to the league and cup double he won the previous season, the Sweden international was enjoying the most successful spell of his career so far.
Starfelt was criticised, unfairly in my opinion, in some quarters but despite that Ange Postecoglou was unwavering and showed great faith in his 2022 summer signing.
Making 83 appearances under Postecoglou, Starfelt was one of the first names on the Australian gaffer’s team sheet. [Transfermarkt]
Following Postecoglou out of the Parkhead exit door last summer, Starfelt joined La Liga side, Celta Vigo, as he looked to take his career in a different direction and it seemed that mixing it up with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona was the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Although there were other reasons mooted about why Starfelt chose to leave Celtic at that particular time.
Starfelt out in the cold
We told last month how Starfelt is now involved in a relegation battle in La Liga after a poor run of results also saw Rafa Benitez being relieved of his duties.
However, things have gone bad to worse for the former Celtic favourite and not just because his team suffered yet another weekend defeat.
Vigo appointed Claudio Giraldez to take over from Benitez in March and almost immediately, the Swede was dropped to the bench.
Starfelt completed 90 minutes in 19 out of his 22 first-team starts under Benitez but as soon as Giraldo came in on the 12th of March, he was immediately relegated to the subs bench.
In Vigo’s last five games, Starfelt has only played 67 minutes with the 28-year-old international being an unused sub in the Spanish struggler’s last three games.
With Vigo hovering just five points above the relegation zone, Starfelt seems to have more to worry about than dropping down the divisions. [BBC]
It seems his new manager doesn’t fancy him and his future at the club may well be under threat. Which is a shame considering he enjoyed a brilliant two seasons at Celtic beforehand.
Hopefully, the former Celtic favourite can turn his career around as he was a good servant to us and stepped up in one of our most turbulent periods.
