Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has singled Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt out for praise after the Bhoys’ Scottish Cup win over St Mirren.
The Hoops didn’t take long to open the scoring against the Saints, but it took them a while to put the game beyond their reach.
Eventually, the floodgates opened, Celtic running riot against St Mirren for a 5-1 win and passage to the quarter-finals.
However, Stephen Robinson’s men had their moments, and the Bhoys back line had to be alert to keep them at bay.
Carter-Vickers made several crucial blocks and tackles, including when he denied the Saints an equaliser. He flung himself in front of Alex Grieve’s goalbound effort to keep Celtic in the lead.
Likewise, Starfelt had some great moments, making a superb clearing header inside the opening 10 minutes. Admittedly, the Swede did also concede the penalty for the visitors’ late consolation. But in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter.
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‘Handled it well’
Speaking after the game, Postecoglou said both players had been “really strong” for the Hoops.
He told Viaplay, as transcribed by BBC Sport: “[St Mirren] put in a hell of a shift to stop us. It was a great contribution from the guys off the bench.
“We knew [St Mirren] would come at us. Cameron and Carl were really strong, they handled it well.”
Carter-Vickers is the best defender in Scotland at present.
You can’t help but wonder if Tottenham, with their defensive frailties, are kicking themselves after letting him go.
And while Starfelt did make an error on the day, he’s just as solid as his defensive teammate and a great asset in green and white.
In other news, “Utter nonsense”; Michael Stewart calls out ludicrous VAR check at Celtic Park.