FRANK MCAVENNIE has told Celtic boss Ange postecoglou that Kobayashi has to start on the left side of the central defensive pairing rather than Starfelt.
Postecoglou, and John Kennedy, have been full of praise for Starfelt and continuously pick him when he’s available, demonstrating their trust in him, but some pundits are willing to hold their hands up and admit they got their assessment of the Swedish defender wrong.
When Carter-Vickers and Starfet have started together, Celtic have never lost a league match; their partnership is one of Celtic’s most underrated aspects.
McAvennie wrote that he was impressed with Kobayashi, claiming he didn’t put a foot wrong. The point would be valid if Kobayashi’s two appearances weren’t against St Mirren in the league and Morton in the cup. It’s fair to say that the Japanese defender wasn’t really tested in either game.
“Ange has got Kobayashi, a left-sided centre-half who never put a foot wrong when Starfelt was injured.
“I think they just need to get him up to fitness to play in this Celtic team.
“I think Starfelt is a decent player but he has got a mistake in him.
“I think that is fair to say and I think people would agree with me.”
[Football Insider]
Starfelt does have a mistake in him, but there’s no doubting the quality he brings to the backline. Some of his defensive play is outstanding and often unnoticed. There’s a reason that Ange Postecoglou hasn’t dropped the player.
