Celtic defender going above and beyond with extra training work during holiday

By John McGinley

November 22, 2022

Carl Starfelt has committed to doing extra training work during allocated time off from Celtic duty after injury and fitness issues in the opening stage of the season.

Starfelt suffered a hamstring injury on Sweden duty at the start of the summer and it kept him out for most of Celtic’s pre-season. Another injury then followed and he only really got back up to match fitness immediately prior to the World Cup break.

After getting minutes in the Sydney Super Cup matches he’s on the right track and he’s set to consolidate that by going the extra mile during a ten-day squad holiday.

As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the defender said: “I need to get up to 100 per cent match fitness. I am happy with this little break and I can really put in a shift and get my match fitness back.

“The team is taking ten days off, but I’ll keep working as I need it. I haven’t played a lot of football in six months because of injury, so I will work hard to get my fitness back. I will basically keep training. I will go away as well, but I’ll train where I am.

“Pre-season was tough. I thought I would get back when the season started and then obviously the second blow was really tough. But I am back on the pitch now and I am happy about that. It’s tough, especially with the Champions League and missing a lot of games. That was something I was looking forward to a lot. I am just happy to be back and I am looking forward.”

This is exactly the kind of commitment we love to see from Celtic players. Starfelt’s position in the starting eleven is far from certain with the addition of Moritz Jenz, so he’s making sure he’s in the best place possible to compete.

It would be easy for Starfelt to bank the holiday and go again in training at Lennoxtown or on the upcoming trip to Portugal, but the Swede is really showing he has a desire to feature for the Bhoys.

Hopefully it pays off for him on the pitch. A fit and in form Starfelt is undoubtedly an asset to Ange Postecoglou, especially in domestic matches.

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