By Alex McLeish

6th Aug, 2021 | 9:07am

Ex-manager reveals his doubts over Starfelt at Celtic after Postecoglou confession

Alex McLeish has backed Carl Starfelt to bounce back from a shaky start to life at Celtic.

The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he questioned whether the 26-year-old was up to the Hoops’ standards in his early displays.

Starfelt started both the 2-1 defeat to Hearts and 4-2 win over Jablonec after joining in training for the first time late last week.

Speaking to the Daily Record (August 5th), Ange Postecoglou confessed it was “not ideal” to throw the centre-back straight into the fray.

However, he insisted he “had to do it” as the Hoops have “no time to waste”.

McLeish admitted the Bhoys’ preparations had not been up to standard ahead of the new campaign.

However, he tipped Starfelt to step up his game as time goes on.

McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “We know that Postecoglou has started the season where the preparation hasn’t been at the top level you’d expect at a club like Celtic.

“He’s going in there with young players in defence, they’re still learning their trade. It does need work.

“Starfelt, the majority was good moments but there were a couple of things that had you thinking is he at the level for Celtic?

“Postecoglou must have some pretty good knowledge about his level. Therefore you’d expect for the player to gradually improve.”

Starfelt lined up alongside makeshift centre-back Nir Bitton against both Hearts and Jablonec.

The Bhoys also have Stephen Welsh and new signing Osaze Urhoghide to call upon at the heart of defence.

Postecoglou handed Joe Hart and Kyogo Furuhashi their debuts against Jablonec.

In other news, a Football Insider pundit has made bold claim about Odsonne Edouard’s Celtic future amid transfer talks.