Celtic defender Carl Starfelt goes off injured in Sweden clash

By John McGinley

June 2, 2022

Celtic defender Carl Starfelt has picked up an injury on Sweden duty, being subbed off just before half-time.

Starfelt was making a rare start for his country against Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League, his first in competitive action.

It was all going to plan, with Starfelt helping shut out the home side as Sweden went 1-0 up. However, he went down just before the interval and was replaced by AIK star Alexander Milosevic.

Obviously, at this stage with the match continuing, it’s unclear the seriousness or extent of the problem. We’ll get an update on that for you as soon as possible.

Nations League matches aren’t the highest priority, so our fingers are crossed it was more of a precaution.

It is undoubtedly a blow for Starfelt who would have been hoping to use this performance to force his way into Janne Andersson’s regular plans.

The Swedish defender had a good debut season at the Bhoys, forming a solid partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers that ultimately became the best in the Scottish Premiership.

He’ll be hoping to carry that momentum into his second season under Ange Postecoglou when competition for places and expectations of performance are likely to increase.

Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to get all of his key performers from last season back in Scotland unharmed after an international window that extends well into June.

In other news, Celtic winger Liel Abada scores on his first start for Israel in very familiar fashion.