BBC pundit Alan Hutton has criticised the ‘pile up’ of international fixtures taking place after it was revealed that Celtic ace Carl Starfelt has sustained a serious injury.

The Lowdown: Starfelt suffers hamstring injury

In an update on the 27-year-old’s fitness, it was reported by the Daily Record last week that the centre-back could be ruled out of action for months after he was stretchered off the pitch with a suspected hamstring problem in Sweden’s game against Slovenia.

As quoted by the same newspaper, the defender admitted that the initial diagnosis of his injury ‘does not look very bright’, meaning that the Hoops now look set to be without their man as Ange Postecoglou steps up preparations ahead of the start of the new season.

The Latest: Hutton slams international schedule

Speaking during an interview with Football Insider, Hutton claimed that the number of games being played is ‘too much’ for the international stars to deal with.

“Look, I don’t think it’s a problem going away on internationals. It’s happened for as long as I can remember when the season finishes.

“You get a week off and then you go and play your international matches or if it’s a tournament. I think the problem at this moment in time is the fixture pile up.

“If you look at any of the teams, I mean Scotland could have had five games in June. That’s too much after a long season.

“I understand with everything that’s going on, you have to fit certain things in, I do get it.

“But I think the amount of football that’s being played in the season is too much. Especially for some of these top stars and top nations that compete in everything.”

The Verdict: A race against time

Starfelt managed to play almost 45 minutes for Sweden before being removed from the field in what was only his sixth appearance for his country, which will come as a huge blow to the Australian boss.

The £17k-per-week gem was a stalwart in the Scottish Premiership this season and proved just how much of a rock he can be at the heart of the Celts backline, having averaged 3.5 clearances, 1.3 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Postecoglou will want to have all of his defensive experience available to him for when the new term kicks in, but with Starfelt not even having a time frame on his return yet, whether he will be declared fully fit in time or not yet remains to be seen.

In other news… a Celtic transfer target is now pushing for an exit from his club to make the move to Parkhead.