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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Celtic 'very close' to securing Carl Starfelt transfer replacement

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Celtic are "very close" to securing a replacement for Carl Starfelt.

The Swede departed the Scottish champions this week, as he completed his switch to Celta Vigo in La Liga.

It was a blow to Rodgers and the Hoops, as the 28-year-old opted to leave Parkhead after only two years at the club.

His fellow countryman Gustaf Lagerbielke, 23, is widely expected to arrive as his replacement in the coming days.

And while Rodgers remained coy and didn't name-drop Lagerbielke, he told Hoops fans that an announcement for Starfelt's replacement is due soon.

He told Sky Sports: "Very close. I'm pretty sure that next week we'll get that done."

Rodgers also delivered an update on the injury concerns over Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate.

The Hoops pair were both substituted off during the 3-1 win.

The former has a hamstring worry, while the latter, who was a sub himself, felt his calf.

The Irishman said: "Hopefully okay. He felt his hamstring a little bit, so we just have to assess that and see what it is. We didn't want to put any more risk on him.

"Reo coming in was just a tactical one with second balls. There were a lot of direct balls in the first half and in midfield, we weren't getting around the second balls. 

"He's quite tenacious in there, Reo. Then he felt a little issue in his calf so we'll see how that is in the next couple of days.

"It really is a squad game when you're at a club like Celtic and there are so many games. Every game is a big game. 

"Welshy (Stephen Welsh) was excellent when he came in. He's trained so well and Odin as well, comes in and makes an impact. Yang too makes a difference for the third goal."

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