Absent stars no problem for Celts

Bhoys have strength in depth to deal with derby, insists Starfelt

CARL STARFELT insists Celtic are well equipped to cope with the loss of key players for next month’s Old Firm clash. Tom Rogic has been selected for World Cup qualifiers by Australia boss Graham Arnold.

Already facing the loss of Kyogo Furuhashi with a hamstring problem, Ange Postecoglou could also be left without Japanese striker Daizen Maeda and American international defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

SPFL rules state that Celtic can ask the league board to postpone the Rangers game — already shunted back to February 2 — if three or more internationals are unavailable.

With Giovanni van Bronckhorst also facing the loss of Alfredo Morelos, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe, however, Sportsmail understands league chiefs are likely to turn down any request for a further postponement — citing a lack of alternative dates in the calendar.

And, with £1.5million MK Dons midfielder Matt O’Riley becoming the fifth addition to the Parkhead squad of the window, Swedish defender Starfelt insists Celtic will cope whatever happens.

‘It would be optimal to have all of our players available at all times,’ he said. ‘It looks like we might have some players away with their national teams, so it’s not ideal. But it is what it is. We will not be too affected by it mentally.

‘We won’t think about it too much as we are confident we can put out a strong team in these games regardless.

‘We had a lot of injuries in the first part of the season and a lot of guys coming in without having had pre-seasons and having adapted quickly.

‘We have had to adapt and we’ve been through a lot. It doesn’t feel like I’ve only been here six months! But you can take confidence from going through tough times and then coming out the other side.’

A £4million signing from Rubin Kazan, Starfelt’s introduction to Scottish football has not been plain sailing.

Singled out for criticism after a couple of indifferent displays, the defender was a strong performer in Monday night’s 2-0 win over Hibs. Like Celtic collectively, he hopes his season has turned a corner.

‘The first half of the season was a little bit up and down for me,’ said Starfelt (right). ‘I’m hoping it will be more stable and I can enjoy more consistency.

‘It was a good start against Hibs. I feel I am in form and in good shape. I think I will only get better.’

A partnership with Tottenham loan signing Carter-Vickers shows signs of delivering results. A total of 12 goals conceded in the SPFL Premiership suggests early criticism of Celtic’s defensive fragility was overblown.

‘I like playing with him a lot,’ said Starfelt. ‘He’s a very good player and we have developed a good chemistry.

‘I feel confident going in to every game playing beside him. I can see why there is talk about the USA coming. He’s a top player.

‘He’s got a crazy physique for a start! It’s better to be beside him than against him! But he’s also an intelligent player so I would not be shocked if his country called him.’

Collectively Celtic’s confidence was buoyed this week by two things. Productive debuts for Maeda and Reo Hatate against Hibs were followed the next night by Rangers dropping two points in Aberdeen.

Lacking strength in depth before the winter break, the new Japanese signings have strengthened hopes of a push for the title in the second half of the season.

‘As a team we are happy to see they can come in and put on a performance like that straight away,’ said Starfelt.

‘It helped that they managed to get some training time in before the game and I’m sure they got some confidence from seeing the impact Kyogo made here.

‘They got the opportunity and they took it.’

Concerns over the welfare of Furuhashi remain the only cloud on the horizon. Struggling with a persistent hamstring problem, the 16-goal striker has undergone tests this week to establish how long he’ll be out. The best-case scenario is three weeks, the worst case significantly longer.

Starfelt added: ‘It is difficult coming to Scotland. The club are very good at giving them the right support behind the scenes and it’s good there are four of them who have come in as Kyogo can also play a part in helping them adapt to life here.

‘The football is different as well. The Scottish league can be fast and furious. But also the way the manager likes to play the game is different for most of the guys. It’s a pretty unique way to play, as not many sides play like this.

‘You need time to adapt but all of them looked very good in the first game. It’s a great sign. We are looking strong. In defence we also have Christopher Jullien coming back. That’s also good.’

With midweek games right up until the next international hiatus for World Cup qualifiers in March, Postecoglou is likely to mix things up for the Scottish Cup clash with Alloa tomorrow.

‘It’s the best feeling in the world to win trophies, so we will do our best in this competition,’ said Starfelt.

‘We are targeting success in every competition we are in.

‘That’s where the depth of the squad becomes so important.’