Celtic are in terrific form right now. Every player is doing their job, which has all come together to create Ange Postecoglou’s winning machine. They are leading the Premiership title race by 9 points, are in the League Cup final and also booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a win over St Mirren.
When things are going so well, most people would not want to tweak with anything. Yes, Celtic do have some very talented players sitting on the bench as well. But in the business end of the season, sticking with a winning combination might be the best step forward.
Frank McAvennie though appears to believe that once Yuki Kobayashi is up to full fitness, he should be playing ahead of Carl Starfelt. The Japanese centre-back arrived in January and has made a couple of appearances till now.
As reported by Football Insider, McAvennie said about the situation:
"“Ange has got Kobayashi, a left sided centre-half who never put a foot wrong when Starfelt was injured.“I think they just need to get him up to fitness to play in this Celtic team.“I think Starfelt is a decent player but he has got a mistake in him. I think that is fair to say and I think people would agree with me.“"
Postecoglou urged to drop Celtic first-team starter for January signing
Starfelt has had his fair share of critics throughout his time at Celtic, since he arrived in the summer of 2021 from Rubin Kazan. There is no denying that he has been a key part of a winning team though. Interestingly, the Swedish international has been linked with a move to the Premier League recently.
Could Kobayashi be a starter for Celtic someday? Of course. One would think that that was the idea behind signing him.
He is a left-footed centre-back. That opens up a lot of tactical options for Postecoglou to build from the back and spread the pitch further.
At the same time though, it would be a mistake to tweak with a winning combination that is Starfelt and Carter-Vickers, at this stage of the season. So, Kobayashi might have to wait for his chance at least till next season.