Yes, I know I’ve used the word ‘haters’ in the headline and I now hate myself for it. However, I couldn’t think of another PG word to describe the Celtic fans who constantly get on the back of Carl Starfelt despite very little tangible evidence of what they accuse him of being.
The Swede didn’t have the best start to life in Glasgow and made a few errors early on, however, since then, alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, the defender has done very well. Despite that FACT, he’s still the source of a lot of negative comments on any given match day. All players have passes that go astray or the odd blip, but when Carl isn’t inch perfect, it’s highlighted to the nth degree.
Some fans get an opinion of a player in their head and rarely deviate from that opinion. Carl has been at the heart of the Celtic defence during an 18 month period where we’ve won a double and continue to play outstanding football.
For those reading this and believe we’re talking nonsense, the stats behind Carl and CCV’s defensive run in the Scottish Premiership makes for extraordinary reading.
The pair together haven’t lost a single Scottish Premiership game. The duo have been paired together 44 times, racking up 38 victories and 26 clean sheets. It’s quite incredible.
Yes, CCV has been our best centre back, but to just praise Cameron while diminishing Carl’s contributions would just be flat out wrong.
There’s a reason why Carl came straight back into the team after a long lay off last season and why the Celtic manager continues to trust the Swede. Ange doesn’t play anybody in his team for 60 seconds, let alone game after game, if he believes they’re not pulling their weight.
It’s time for the Starfelt ‘haters’ to take a day off and give the man some props.
