Andy Halliday has taken aim at new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou on Open Goal, for starting Carl Starfelt at Tynecastle. Halliday thinks Postecoglou was “harsh” to throw newbie Starfelt into the starting line-up. Starfelt had only linked up with Celtic days beforehand.
With the clock ticking, John Souttar rose highest to nod the ball into the back of the net – with Scott Bain’s positioning certainly in question. It saw Hearts win 2-1 at Tynecastle, with Sweden international Starfelt making a mistake for Gary Mackay-Steven’s opener in the first half.
Starfelt, a £4.5million (Record) signing from Rubin Kazan was thrown into the starting line-up alongside Nir Bitton – replacing Stephen Welsh. But ex-Rangers star Halliday believes that decision was “harsh” from Postecoglou. Starfelt had only just linked up with Celtic for a matter of one or two days.
“I think it was a bit harsh on Starfelt as well,” Halliday said. “He had trained once or twice? He addressed that after the game. There aren’t going to be any Celtic fans that will say ‘give him time he only played one or two sessions’. He will get judged every game. I thought it was harsh on him.”
Did Celtic boss Postecoglou make Starfelt mistake – after Halliday claim?
Celtic, of course, are struggling for centre-backs. To start with, Nir Bitton started alongside Stephen Welsh – and suspension for Bitton saw Dane Murray make his debut. So, the chance to throw a more-experienced Sweden international into the game – was too tempting for Postecoglou.
But Halliday is bang on. Of all the places to hand him a debut, an evening trip to Tynecastle in front of returning fans was always going to be hostile. It was a tricky encounter, and perhaps giving Starfelt 20 minutes from the bench at the end would have been better. Instead, it was “harsh”.
