Celtic unfurled the Scottish Premiership flag on Saturday as the Hoops kicked off season 2023/24 with a 4-2 win over Ross County at Parkhead.

However, it looks like central defender Carl Starfelt has taken the chequered flag regarding his Parkhead career.

The Swedish international could well have played his last game for Celtic.

Starfelt came on in the second half of the curtain raiser victory in Paradise and appeared emotional as he applauded the home fans at the end.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed after the match that Starfelt had more than likely played his last game for the club.

Starfelt's partner Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, left Celtic for Sporting Lisbon this summer and the player looks set to follow her out of Glasgow after two years at the club with La Liga outfit Celta Vigo leading the chase for his signature.

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 quickly 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 time to move on. There are certain conditions there that have 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, he's been totally professional, first class and if it didn’t go through, I know I can rely on him, but I think it probably will.

"Yes, we’d need to get another centre-back."

"The whole idea was to have four that could be competitive, and if Carl was to go, we would bring in another one.”

The 28-year-old was a mainstay in Ange Postecoglou's starting XI during his time at the club and won five out of six trophies during his stay at the club after scooping a double in his first campaign and helping Celtic achieve the world record eighth domestic treble last season.

READ MORE: Carl Starfelt's dentist appears to confirm Celtic transfer exit

Meanwhile, Rodgers also challenged midfielder David Turnbull to earn a new contract with Celtic as he enters the final year of his own deal.

Turnbull bagged a brace against the Staggies and the Northern Irishman confirmed that whilst he believes the player is a genuine talent he has to keep working hard.

"He’s a talent. I remember seeing him when I was first up here and I liked his game and he maybe just hasn’t quite hit the heights of what his talent is," the 50-year-old saidd.

"I spoke to him in pre-season and told him it would be a shame if you don’t achieve what you can do at a club like this, because you have the talent, but you have to be a working talent, and you have to be able to run and be aggressive in your game.

"If you can do that, then your qualities will come through. He’s a player I really like. I love his care with the ball, his passing and his efficiency.

"It’s a door that’s open for him. he maybe hasn’t played as much as he would like, but that’s his responsibility.

"I think he would like to be here but you have to prove it consistently."

Join Tony Haggerty and Ryan McGinlay as they discuss all the latest Celtic news in the video below.