Carl Starfelt is no stranger to being criticised. Ever since his Celtic debut against Hearts two seasons ago, the big Swede has been the subject of much criticism from certain quarters of the media and pundits.
But the truth of the matter is, that despite his faults, he has been excellent for Celtic since signing for the club. Starfelt has been part of a defence that has brought home four trophies out of six, with a possible fifth on the way.
And Starfelt has leapt to the defence of his teammate, Yuki Kobayashi. The 22-year-old has struggled for form and has had to wait in the wings whilst Tomoki Iwata was given the nod to partner Starfelt on Trophy Day.
Starfelt said [The Herald], “Of course, I am trying to help in the best way I can.
“I’m sure everyone on the pitch is doing the same. I will of course try to speak to him and help him, as I will do with all the other players.
“I think he is really tidy on the ball and he is a good defender as well. It is not fair to only judge someone based on three games where the team haven’t been playing good.
“You can’t look only at these three games and judge someone because then all of the 11 players on the pitch would be bad players. It is not as easy as that.
“Also, the games he has played before he has shown himself to be really good on the ball and a good defender as well. I have to keep on building a relationship with him because he has good qualities that hopefully he will show more of in the future.”
Kobayashi was a January signing for Celtic this season. He had just finished a full season in the J League with Yokohama FC. Ange Postecoglou has tried to break him into the Celtic team gently to manage his fitness and up until the final Glasgow Derby at Ibrox, the 22-year-old had impressed.
He was very comfortable in the 4-1 away win to Kilmarnock and looked calm and assured in the 4-0 against St Mirren back in January.
There is no doubt Kobayashi has quality and I am positive that with a full summer rest and pre-season under his belt, Ange Postecoglou will be looking to see more of it next season.
In other news, The Aberdeen star that is supporting Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final
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