Celtic news: Scottish pundit takes swipe after worrying Carl Starfelt injury update
Alan Hutton has slammed the “pile up” of international fixtures after Celtic defender Carl Starfelt suffered an injury playing for Sweden.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted players are taking part in too many games after the end of the season.
As reported by the Daily Record (3 June), there are fears Starfelt, 27, could be out for months after he was stretchered off with an apparent hamstring issue for Sweden in last Thursday’s clash with Slovenia.
As quoted by the newspaper, the Celtic defender admitted the initial prognosis “does not look very bright”.
Hutton insisted the number of games being played is a “problem” for international stars.
Asked if it was wrong to play internationals straight after the end of the season, Hutton told Football Inside’rs Russell Edge: “Look, I don’t think it’s a problem going away on internationals. It’s happened for as long as I can remember when the season finishes.
“You get a week off and then you go and play your international matches or if it’s a tournament. I think the problem at this moment in time is the fixture pile up.
“If you look at any of the teams, I mean Scotland could have had five games in June. That’s too much after a long season.
“I understand with everything that’s going on, you have to fit certain things in, I do get it.
“But I think the amount of football that’s being played in the season is too much. Especially for some of these top stars and top nations that compete in everything.”
Starfelt lasted 45 minutes before going off in what was his sixth appearance for his country.
In other news, pundit claims Cameron Carter-Vickers will “do everything” to seal Celtic move after latest.