Carl Starfelt makes likely farewell Celtic appearance in opening day SPL win

Carl Starfelt looks set leave Celtic (Steve Welsh/PA)

Carl Starfelt was handed what Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers feels will be a farewell appearance in a 4-2 cinch Premiership opening win over Ross County.

Starfelt started on the bench with Maik Nawrocki making his debut in central defence before the Swede came on for the final quarter.

The centre-half’s partner, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, left Celtic for Sporting Lisbon this summer and Starfelt looks set to follow her out of Glasgow after two years at the club.

Rodgers said: “I wanted to put Carl Starfelt on because it might be his last game here. He has been a great servant to the club. There is interest in him and he would like to take up that possibility. We will resolve that as quick as we can.

“The clubs are in communication so I am sure that will go through at some point early next week, if not before.

“He probably felt it was the time to move on. There are certain conditions there that has made him think he will be going to one of the top leagues, and economically it’s hard for us to compete on that side, and obviously his partner is no longer here and has moved on.

“But I have to say, total professional, first class and if it didn’t go through, I know I can rely on him, but I think it probably will.

Celtic’s David Turnbull celebrates scoring the opener in a 4-2 win over Ross County (Steve Welsh/PA).

“We would need to get another centre-half. My idea is to get four centre-halves who are competitive.”

David Turnbull netted twice in the season opener after being handed his first Premiership start in nine months. The midfielder opened the scoring from the spot and netted from Matt O’Riley’s cross after Kyogo Furuhashi had notched his first goal of the season.

Rodge