Carl Starfelt insists Celtic won’t stand still as they look to build on a brilliant first year under Ange Postecoglou.
The Swedish defender and his team-mates celebrated the Premiership title in style at the weekend after adding the silverware to their Premier Sports Cup.
Postecoglou’s team are back as the Kings of Scotland for a 10th time in 11 seasons, but the manager has already demanded Celtic get bigger and better next term.
Champions League group stage qualification adds to the need to up the levels and Starfelt is adamant everyone inside the dressing room can take the next step.
He said: “For sure. I think this can just be the start.
“A lot of players made their first year in the Celtic jersey this time and, even though we came together pretty fast, I think many players will only get better.
“And then we have the Champions League to look forward to next season as well. We know that’s a very tough competition, so we have to improve.
“I think for sure that it’s possible. The demands at Celtic will always be so high and we will always strive to do so.”
Starfelt is relishing the opportunity to go in against the cream of the continent.
The Parkhead ace will face Erling Haaland when his nation meets Norway in the upcoming internationals and a joust against the new big-money Manchester City striker will offer a taster of what is to come amongst the elite.
Starfelt said: “You have to bring your best game in these matches. Also as a team you have to really perform.
“Playing in Europe this year with this team and this manager I think will be helpful for us going forward and playing these big European matches. I can’t wait for it.
“The home games especially will be absolutely amazing. You have to be at your very best. One foot wrong and anything can happen. I am looking forward to it.”
Starfelt admits he’s had an incredible first season at the club and reckons Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton have provided him a perfect example on how to make sure it keeps happening year on year.
Starfelt lost two good mates from his dressing room after the Aussie and Israeli said farewell to Glasgow.
But, at the same time, he has seen them display just what is required to stay at the top within the suffocating pressures of expectation at Celtic to enjoy a prolonged period of glory.
Starfelt may only have known Rogic and Bitton for less than a year, but that didn’t stop a bond building within the tight-knit group.
When it came time for the pair to say goodbye to the club, the Swede got a first-hand look at the admiration and adoration which was afforded by the supporters for nine long years of service and combined medal tally of 34.
To stay involved at the highest level for a decade requires both talent and dedication and Starfelt believes it’s a template for success for any of Postecoglou’s new batch of stars who have yet to complete a full 12 months at the club.
He said: “If you have been here nine years, then you are a bit of an example of what you need to show in every day training and showing up for games all the time.
“They were always coming in with good energy so of course it will be hard to replace them in many ways, but other guys have to step up and take their work.
“I think the fans love both these guys and they showed it with the standing ovations they received.
“Fans have taken many other players to their hearts and, maybe, you don’t need to be here nine years for that to happen. But yes, of course, it’s nice to see.
“They are very good football players and, first and foremost, they are very good guys as well.”
Rogic was in tears when he left the pitch to a rapturous ovation and Bitton was almost the same when he entered the fray with five minutes to go of the weekend rout of Motherwell.
Starfelt explained: “We got very close to each other and we have the biggest respect for Tom and Nir for what they have done for this club for the last nine years or so.
“It was a moment that touched all of us and the fans and you could see on the faces of Tom and Nir that they were also very touched about leaving this great club.
“I’ve only played with them for one year. But it feels like we have become friends.”
Starfelt has a long way to go before he matches the medal haul of Rogic and Bitton, but he’s off and running with a couple in the bag already following a brilliant opening season in the Hoops.
Following the collection of a winners gong at the Premier Sports Cup Final last December, the stopper now has the biggest prize of the lot within his possession.
Having stepped off a plane to make a debut on the opening night of the season against Hearts and struggle during a 2-1 loss, the centre-back has improved week-on-week and game-on-game alongside the presence of Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Starfelt took time to win over some of the doubters within the fan base, but he always had the faith of the manager from the moment he set foot in the door.
Looking back to that first appearance and comparing it to how it all ended, he said: “I don’t think I thought this far ahead to be honest.
“Of course I knew that when you come to Celtic you have the demands on you and the goal will always be to become the champions.
“Obviously, we had a bit of a rough start, but we always kept believing in ourselves and in the team.
“I think that makes it even better.”
It was not only Starfelt who had people discussing his ability to cut it in the early weeks.
After Postecoglou lost three of his opening six matches in the Premiership at the helm, few punters could see a major turnaround coming in time to secure the title.
But Postecoglou and his players responded to the challenge and a 32-game unbeaten top-flight run put green and white ribbons around the cherished silverware.
Starfelt said proudly: “Everyone doubted us, a lot of people didn’t think it would be possible for us to stand here as champions, but here we are and it just makes it even better.
“The season has been absolutely incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better first year of my Celtic career.
“Obviously this was our goal all season. We knew it was going to be tough, but now we stand here as the best team in Scotland and champions.
“It has been an incredible journey and we have enjoyed every moment of it. Also it was very nice after putting in all this hard work all year to be able to celebrate it in style with the fans.
“You can see how much it means to all the Celtic fans. It really is the best feeling.”
