I've Starfelt the heat of life at Celts ON the pitch but life's a walk in the park OFF it

Published date13 September 2021
Publication titleDaily Record, The / Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)
The Sweden cap is starting to feel right at home though and he insisted he's now feeling settled on and off the pitch.

There was some early flak for the former Rubin Kazan defender after a couple of slipups while Ange Postecoglou was frantically throwing a team together in jig time.

Starfelt was given a torrid time at Tynecastle, had a jittery spell against Jablonec and then scored an own goal against AZ.

But there have also been signs of real progress with the stopper as well. He was superb the rest of the night in Holland to see Celts through against Alkmaar.

There were some fingers pointed in the defeat at Ibrox but he was rock solid for most of the game and Saturday's win against Ross County was a casual jaunt in the park for the £4.5million man.

And it's clear Starfelt is far more comfortable in his surroundings now.

He said: "It's a very nice city. I didn't know much about it when I came here.

"But I'm surprised at how nice the city is. There are some good restaurants and nice buildings and nice places all around.

"I'm sure I'll continue to enjoy it more and more when I get to know the city better.

"I've met the Celtic fans when I have been exploring the city.

They are everywhere! It's very nice to get some cheers in the streets. They have been good.

"I am living here on my own.

But it's a very nice team here.

"Everyone speaks English which is a bit of a change for me since I came from Russia.

"But the team is very nice and I have friends already."

Starfelt's content but he admitted it has been a bumpy start. He said: "Of course I know.

"I have played football for a long time and I know you will have difficult moments.

"But then every player will have difficult moments. You've got to just push through them mentally and if you keep working hard it will turn around and that's what I'm trying to do.

"I try to work hard every day and keep my confidence up and that's what my focus is on.

"I feel like I have more to give. I feel like it's getting better.

"I feel more secure for every game. I just need to keep working hard and hopefully I will only grow."

The same goes for this newlook Celtic side. It's a work in progress for Postecoglou and it was important to get back from the international break with a victory after a fortnight stewing on the defeat...

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