Champions League excitement hits Celtic defender

By Lewis Laird

May 16, 2022

Celtic defender Carl Starfelt is relishing the opportunity to play in the Champions League group stages next season.

The 26-year old regularly featured as part of the back five, which held the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Alongside Cameron Carter Vickers, the Swedish centre back played a key role this campaign and was able to celebrate the Hoops’ success on Saturday afternoon.

Winning the Scottish Premiership title this season, of course, also means automatic entry into the UEFA Champions League group stages.

And Starfelt is already relishing that opportunity ahead of next season, insisting that Ange Postecoglou’s side will look to enforce their football on the European stage.

The former Ruban Kazan man also admitted his excitement about playing in front of the Parkhead crowd on those famous European nights.

He said [Daily Record]: “You have to bring your best game in these matches. Also, as a team, you have to really perform.

“Playing in Europe this year with this team and this manager, I think, will be helpful for us going forward and playing these big European matches. I can’t wait for it.

“The home games especially will be absolutely amazing. You have to be at your very best. One foot wrong, and anything can happen. I am looking forward to it.

“You heard the manager speak on the pitch after the game. We need to enjoy this success, but like he said, we never stop.

“Hopefully, we will be better next year. We want to go to the Champions League and play our football.

“We haven’t spoken about our ambitions yet, but we will recharge the batteries and then speak about it when we come back.

“At a club like Celtic, our ambitions will always be high, so we expect nothing less.

“The Champions League is massive for everyone, and it will be a big ambition for us to go and perform in that tournament.”

This is just the start for Ange Postecoglou and his players.

The league title celebrations on Saturday afternoon were something to behold with the joy that was brought to the Celtic support and all those involved at the club.

However, this is just the start for Postecoglou and his Celtic squad.

Next season, we have the exciting prospect of playing on the biggest stage in world football, and Postecoglou is keen to stamp his mark on that stage with this Celtic team.

Already, players like Starfelt are looking towards next season with great excitement, which can only bode well for the club over the summer.

In other news, Nir Bitton discusses what he wants to do next after Celtic departure.