Carl Starfelt reckons the Celtic squad are 'better prepared' than last season as they get set to tackle domestic and European football once again.
Ange Postecoglou's side have had the luxury of no early Champions League qualifiers this season with the recapturing of the Premiership crown last term from Rangers rewarded. They have direct entry into the tournament proper this time around as they get ready to mix it with the best clubs and players in Europe.
Last season the Hoops had to juggle the earlier qualifiers and Europa League group stage football with domestic matters. They felt the pinch with injuries to key players and no adequate cover to help the squad out.
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However, Postecoglou has worked hard in his recruitment process to rectify the issue with the squad strength and depth displayed so far this season. In the thumping win over Kilmarnock, the champions were able to call upon the likes of Liel Abada, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Aaron Mooy, James Forrest and Starfelt from the bench.
The big Swede was part of that group last term, but he believes this time around will be much different with the team able to cope with the tough schedule in a much 'better way'.
He said: “For sure. I think we coped with it pretty well last season, even though we had a lot of injuries. But I think this season we are even better prepared.
"We know that it’s going to be a tough schedule and a tough competition in the Champions League as well. So we will need all the players.
"Also, we know that every season injuries will come. But now we can deal with it in a better way.”
On the competition for places in the Celtic team, he added: “It’s good because it brings up the standard in training. We are not just 11 players who are really good.
"The whole squad is really good and the standard in training is really good.”
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