Rumours were rife last week about a potential new partner off the pitch.
But Celtic star Carl Starfelt is sure about one thing – he’s gutted at losing his defensive sidekick on it. The Swede’s relationship with Hoops striker Jaycnta Galabadaarachchi was confirmed, bizarrely by Sky commentator Ian Crocker, live on air during Celtic women’s SWPL clash with Rangers. But Starfelt is far more concerned at the break-up of his pairing with Cameron Carter-Vickers at the heart of Ange Postecoglou’s back line.
The American centre-back will miss the rest of the season after heroically putting in a man-of-the-match display in their Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final win last Sunday. Starfelt and Carter-Vickers have become mainstays for boss Postecoglou and the rock that Celtic’s success has been built on this season. Now they’ve been separated, young Japanese defender Yuki Kobayashi will need to step up to the plate.
Starfelt says being without his right-hand man is a huge blow for the club – but is convinced the 22-year-old has the attributes to excel in his absence. And being the more experienced defender, he’s ready to help Kobayashi fill the Carter-Vickers void.
He said: “Yeah, it’s a loss. Cameron is a great player and we’ve formed a strong defensive partnership with over the last two years.
“I enjoy being alongside him on the pitch and I’d say we have a good understanding of how the other plays the game. We are close off the pitch too. We are good friends, which is nice, and we are both pretty laid back.
“It was brave of him to play last week. When you are in pain it’s never easy. He has put the team first for a while now, which is him. He is a very good guy and someone who does not only think about himself.
“Cameron puts the needs of Celtic and of his fellow players very high up in terms of his priorities. It was important for the team to get him to play and credit to him for doing that.
“But Yuki looks like an exciting prospect. He has done really well in the games he has played for us. He is tidy on the ball and a good defender as well. It will be good for him to get more game time and I hope that he and I can build a good relationship on the pitch.
“If I can help him with something then I’ll do it. He is a very competent player, though, so I am sure he can do the same for me. It will be more about creating a good relationship between us rather than who does what.
“He looks like one the fans might enjoy watching because of the way he plays. But the most important thing is that he helps the team.”
A player who has certainly done that is top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi. The Japanese striker could smash through the 30-goal barrier at Tynecastle today as Celtic aim to clinch the Premiership title.
Some Hoops fans reckon he could go on to emulate Starfelt’s fellow Swede, the King of Kings Henrik Larsson, at Parkhead. He’s reluctant to make comparisons.
But he knows how vital Kyogo is to Postecoglou’s side and he would love him to stay in Glasgow long-term. Starfelt said: “Kyogo has been outstanding for us this season. He was really good last season too but it feels like he is only getting better.
“He is working so hard and we are happy to see him get his rewards in terms of goals. I have no doubt he will keep scoring for us.
“It’s hard to make a fair comparison between him and Larsson because Henrik was here for a long time and is a club legend. But I can see why people do it because they are both very good players.
“Larsson was outstanding for Sweden and won the Champions League so he is a legend back home too. Kyogo’s potential is very high so we will see at the end of his career how well he did. We want to keep all our good players here but that is not how reality works. As long as he is at Celtic, we are very happy.”
Hoops supporters will be ecstatic if Kyogo can fire them to the title in Gorgie this afternoon. Starfelt made his debut against Hearts at Tynecastle two years ago when a defeat for Postecoglou prompted immediate questions about his appointment.
No-one has any doubts now, though, with Celtic certain to clinch two-in-a-row – and a potential Treble. Starfelt is just desperate to get over the line against the Jambos.
He said: “We’ve done well so far but it’s important we finish the season the right way. We have it all in our own hands to make this season a truly great one.
“So it’s about staying focused and going right until the end. Hearts is a huge game for us. We go to Tynecastle with the chance to seal the league, which would be fantastic.
“It would be a great place to do it. It’s always pretty loud and a little bit hostile. There can be some pressure on you when you play there so we need to be prepared for that. Hearts have a new man in charge (Steven Naismith) who has them playing a different way. But as always our focus has to be on the football we want to play.”
