Davie Provan has a massive chip on his shoulder regarding Carl Starflet. Pass it on.
Childish right?
Of course it is but the former Celtic midfielder’s current vendetta against the new Hoops defender is almost at a level where it is just that. Childish.
Provan has a long standing in the game and knows that when players join Celtic, there needs to be an adjustment period when you join a club that has the demands of winning every game.
Carl Starfelt has never felt that kind of pressure before.
The big Swede has never won a domestic trophy in all his career. Simply because he has never been at a club that has expected to win anything or had fans that placed those kind of demands on you.
From Brommapojkarna in Sweden’s third tier to IFK Goteborg and then on to Rubin Kazan, Celtic is Starfelt’s first ‘big club’ and he is taking time to adjust.
But, speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Provan makes no secret of the fact he doesn’t rate the defender even although Celtic fans agree he has been much improved and had one of his best games in last nights 2-0 win over Ferncvaros.
The Hoops defender made a mistake close to full time, giving Provan just enough ammo to jump on his soap box, “The point we’re making is the back four is not right and that it’s just a basic error of the kind you can’t afford at any decent level of football.
“Celtic were fortunate that they weren’t punished.
“Starfelt, he wants too much time and the ball, is tackled and their centre forward is almost on Joe Hart there because of that.
“It’s a real bad blunder.
“And again it’s come from a player who’s a Swedish international, costs four and a half million quid, and I’m sorry, it’s not good enough right now.
“Sweden international. You think you’re buying the finished article surely when you pay four and a half million pounds.
“You’re really betting that he’s going to come into your team, and hit the ground running, and that mistake there is, I think, it’s typical of his performances so far.”
Typical of his performances so far? I think Celtic twitter disagrees with you Davie. Time to let it go now:
Carl Starfelt was immense yesterday.
Slowly but surely, he and CCV are forming a really decent partnership in the heart of the Celtic defence.
— Ryan McGinlay (@TheRyanMcGinlay) October 20, 2021
Many players gave the ball away, including some of our best passers, especially in the first half. CalMac and Rogic both simple 5-10 yard passes at that. Starfelt has been solid and deffo gets my backing as does the whole team on the park. We need to hold our nerve 🍀
— Ikigai 🏴🍀 (@CelticFickle) October 20, 2021
Starfelt is the new Boyata. Some people will be permanently against him even when he’s performing well.
The overwhelming majority said yesterday he was class but ye still see a few saying he was shite 😂 wild.
— Conor (@ConorM67_) October 20, 2021
So as a team we had 67% possession
And Starfelt was only 2nd to Mcgregor, in possession stats
And that's a bad thing?Ok mate, step away fae twitter, before u do urself damage
— @RabCorbett (@RabCorbett2) October 20, 2021
And I’ll leave Provan with this to ponder seeing as this is the mistake he was going on about:
I know the reply is coming so yes, the back pass was an iffy moment but don't let one moment take away from another impressive performance.
& just in case this other reply comes, yes… I was one of the doubters 🙋🏻♂️
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) October 19, 2021
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