Celtic defender Carl Starfelt has insisted the entire squad are embracing competition for places after the additions of Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston.
Ange Postecoglou has moved quickly in the January transfer market, completing two new signings before the window has even opened.
Both Kobayashi and Johnston joined the club on long-term contracts and have added more defensive options to the Hoops squad.
The Celtic squad is already full of quality players all over the park, and the two new additions look to have brought more to the back four.
Although both signings can’t officially play until the 1st of January, they have been able to join up early with their new teammates.
Celtic centre-back Carl Starfelt was asked about his brief training experiences so far, and the Swedish international believes they are already bringing a ‘good energy’ to the group.
He said [Celtic FC]: “They are really good guys, they are good positive characters, both of them. I think they are coming in with good energy, they will contribute to the team and also really good players from what I’ve seen so far – all positive.”
For Starfelt as a central defender, Kobayashi and Johnston could provide competition for places, thanks to the Canadian’s experiences playing for the national team.
Some players might find it a little disheartening to see new additions arrive in their position. However, Starfelt has insisted that he and the rest of the Celtic squad will thrive thanks to the new pressure and demands that arrive with more competition.
He continued: “(The manager) doesn’t have to say anything. I think everyone knows at a club like Celtic, who are always pushing to take the next steps and get better, it’s going to be like this.
“It’s going to be tough competition for the spots (in the team), which I think every player is, from what I’ve seen, are embracing it, knowing that they have to step up in training and perform every day. You can never relax.
“So I think it pushes everyone to hopefully become a little bit better. It’s nothing he (Ange) has to say, or we have to speak about. It’s just the way it is, and I think everyone has embraced it.”
Competition for places will only help Celtic improve in the long run.
Whilst it is important not to have too much deadwood around the squad, there is very much a fine balance that must be found within the dressing room.
At this point in time, Ange Postecoglou seems to be striking that balance, adding new signings to important areas of the squad.
And if Starfelt’s comments are anything to go off, the Celtic squad are thriving off the fact there is even more competition for places.
The entire dressing room knows that they must be at the very top of their game, in training and during matches, in order to keep their place in the side.
If they can’t maintain the standards needed, then Postecoglou will simply turn to the other options within his squad now that he has the depth to do so.
Ultimately, this should help Celtic massively in the long run, with competition for places pushing every player to improve each day at training.
In other news, Celtic recruitment success could aid SPFL side in January signing pursuit.
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