Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has back summer recruit Carl Starfelt to become a success at the club after coming under fire in recent weeks.

As quoted by the Daily Record speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie stated that with the transitional period the club and Ange Postecoglou’s squad is going through, some players in areas of the pitch are taking time to settle.

“Everyone is having a go at Starfelt and Carter-Vickers. I’m not sure that’s fair. I’m thinking, ‘this is still a transitional period’.

“For crying out loud, Starfelt is still learning how to be a centre back. This is one of the first times he’s played in the middle.

“The other full-backs aren’t there, which leaves them exposed. They get too high up and don’t come back.

“That’s the way the manager wants to play at the moment. It all comes back to the defence.

“I’m sure they will get better as the season goes on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them is dropped when Jullien comes back.”

Despite coming to the defence of Starfelt and fellow central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, McAvennie insisted that he believes when French defender Christopher Jullien returns, he will come in to replace one of the two.

It was a bit of a tricky start for the Swedish internationalist, who was immediately thrown into the thick of the action and has played the majority of games since, including trips to Tynecastle, Ibrox and Pittodrie.

However, in my opinion, I believe he is starting to settle into things, and his performances are improving.

The long-awaited return of Jullien will come as a positive for Postecoglou in many ways. Having a quality player back available whilst also having competition for places in that area of the pitch.

Of course, it is still early days for Starfelt and his Celtic career. So, he will likely have more settling in to do, and hopefully, we can see that in his performances as the season goes on.