Brendan Rodgers pinpoints where Celtic must be 'much better' as boss says 'there's reasons' for imminent Carl Starfelt exit

Brendan Rodgers admitted there is plenty of room for improvement for Celtic despite their 4-2 opening day win over Ross County on Scottish Premiership Flag Day at Parkhead as he said there are “reasons” why Carl Starfelt could head for the exit as early as next week.

The Hoops boss watched his side kick off their title defence with a comfortable enough victory but they took time to get into their stride with the Irishman admitting it was a combination of players not being up to full speed and Malky Mackay’s Staggies making life difficult.

Rodgers, though, was vindicated in his decision to start last season’s fringe man David Turnnbull ahead of Reo Hatate with the Scotland man netting a double along with Kyogo and Matt O’Riley in the four-goal show. Rodgers told Sky Sports: "The result was a good result. Ross County started very well, we were slow to start. We had some really good moments with the ball but we need to be much better against the ball. We conceded two goals where we have to be better and some other half chance, especially in the first half.

“It’s what you expect a little bit. It’s never going to be perfect in the first game. The most important thing is to win and we played well and showed some great moments with the ball but collectively we’ll get better. It’s just the time of the season, first game. Players still finding their fitness. It’s Tony Ralston’s first 90 minutes, Cameron Carter-Vickers has just joined us in training and Maik is just in the door. It’s just guys getting up to fitness.

“It’s always good whenever you don’t play to the top of your game but can win well. Ross County and Malky’s team deserve credit as well because they came here and made it very difficult, man to man marking style.