He was regularly slated as a Celtic player, but Carl Starfelt would be most welcome in the current Hoops side…
Carl Starfelt of Sweden during the Nations League football match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweden on October 2, 2026 in Zenica. Photo: Ludvig Thunman IMAGO
Former Celtic defender Carl Starfelt has been denied the chance to face his old club after being told he faces a spell on the sidelines.
The 31 year old was due to face the hoops at Celtic Park next Thursday with his current club Celta Vigo, but injury has put an end to any hopes of a one off return to Paradise for the player who made 87 appearances for the hoops between 2021 & 2023.
Swedish international Starfelt along with World Cup winner Borja Iglesias will miss Thursday’s Europa league clash at Celtic Park.
Former Celtic defender Starfelt had an issue while away on international duty with Sweden and an MRI revealed a muscle tear in the centre-back’s right leg, and has scuppered his chances of playing in the arena he called home for two years.
Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic is seen prior to the Scottish Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 29, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Starfelt was a key player under Ange Postecoglou, forming a decent central defensive partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers, with the club winning five out of six possible domestic honours during his two year stay at the club.
Celtic had the best defensive record in the Swede’s first campaign as a Celtic player, and in his second and final season in the hoops, he was named in the PFA Scottish Premiership Team of the Year after helping Celtic to a domestic treble.
Despite this he was still subject to serval bouts of criticism from the more overcritical element of our support, who reckoned he was a weak link in our defence. Now we have Dane Murray playing on the right hand side of the Celtic defence with CCV out injured.
October 15, 2026, Lisbon, Portugal: Dane Murray L of Celtic FC and Georgiy Sudakov R of SL Benfica seen in action during the UEFA Europa League Matchday 2 between SL Benfica and Celtic FC at Estadio da Luz Stadium. Final score SL Benfica 4 :1 Celtic FC Lisbon Portugal – Photo Hugo Amaral
To those who slated Starfelt, you wonder if they reckon we’ve ended up with an upgrade?
Cameron Carter Vickers earned all the praise and rightly so as put in a string of impressive performances, but Starfelt alongside him was a vital part of that defensive unit, and more than played his part.
He may have been a much criticised player, but he was appreciated by those of us who knew what he brought to the side.
SL Benfica Vs Celtic FC in Lisbon, Portugal – 15 Oct 2026 Jhon Duran C-L of SL Benfica and Dane Murray C-R of Celtic FC seen in action during the UEFA Europa League Matchday 2 between SL Benfica and Celtic FC at Estadio da Luz Stadium. Final score SL Benfica 4 :1 Celtic FC Lisbon Portugal. Photo Hugo Amaral/SOPA Images IMAGO
It wouldn’t be an overreaction to state that those who were critical of the Swede during his time as a Celtic player would welcome back with open arms at this moment in time, such is the current state of our defensive options.
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