Bullish Carl Starfelt has played down speculation he could leave Celta Vigo - with talk escalating over a potential return to Celtic just 12 months after leaving the club.

The centre-back brought a two-year spell in the Scottish Premiership to an end last summer when he signed a four-year deal with the La Liga outfit - but reports in Spain have claimed he now faces an uncertain future at the club after the arrival of Claudio Giraldez. Rafa Benitez - who brought the Swedish international to the club - was shown the door last season amid the relegation scrap.

The former Liverpool boss was replaced by Giraldez and reports in Spain have suggested that Starfelt is not included in the plans of the manager who wants a different type of centre-back - with Brendan Rodgers' side being touted as a potential destination following his PS5million exit last summer. Speculation had ramped up amid speculation about Gustaf Lagerbielke's future at the club - with Starfelt and his fellow countryman sharing the same agent.

Pressed on the uncertainty over his future after struggling to hold down a regular spot under the new boss, Starfelt remained defiant on his future in Spain. He told Fotbollskanalen: " I was benched for three games near the end of the season. I think I showed in training that I was going to play. I didn't give up or hang up. Then I got the chance and did well. I don't give up."