Opinion: Celtic star can use unfortunate incident as motivation for run-in

Celtic centre-back Carl Starfelt was unlucky in the recent Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers, as he scored an own goal which was the winning goal for the Ibrox side.

He doesn’t deserve any blame for the incident though, as he was unfortunate, as the Swedish international was trying to stop Rangers’ Fashion Sakala from getting onto the end of the cross and putting the ball into the back of the net.

These things happen in football, Starfelt surely won’t be blamed for the own goal by many Celtic fans, as he was only trying to do his job.

Starfelt has for the most part in the 2021/22 season been an excellent performer for the Hoops, and only a few weeks ago he and fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers were excellent in the league win over the Ibrox side which has put the Bhoys in a good position in the Premiership title race.

It is time for Celtic to forget about the semi-final, and focus on the last five games that the team have to play in the league, starting with the trip to Ross County on Sunday.

Starfelt shouldn’t dwell on the semi-final, as has already been said, these things can happen in football. If it is still annoying him though, he can use the own goal as motivation for the rest of the season.

Ange Postecoglou won’t be upset with Starfelt about the own goal, he will be delighted with how he has performed this season.

Interestingly, Starfelt may have to take on even more of a leadership role in the Hoops side depending on the fitness of his centre-back partner Carter-Vickers, who looked to be struggling at the end of the game against Rangers with an injury.

That could be more motivation for Starfelt, as taking a leadership role could add to his game. He could have yet more motivation for the game at Ross