Mikael Lustig has won eight Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic but he has been linked with a return to Sweden with AIK Stockholm.
Frank McAvennie believes Mikael Lustig’s time at Celtic has come to an end with the long-serving defender set to become a free agent in a few weeks, while speaking to Open Goal.
The 75-time Sweden international has been a brilliant servant for the Glasgow giants, winning 15 trophies with the club including eight successive Scottish Premiership titles since arriving from Rosenborg back in 2011.
But, with Lustig’s contract expiring this summer, it seems that he is playing his final few games in the famous green and white shirt.
Speaking to Fotboll Direkt, the sporting director of AIK Stockholm, Bjorn Wesstrom, claimed that he had held talks with Lustig about a potential return to Sweden.
And former Hoops striker McAvennie suggests that Celtic should not stand in the veteran’s way.
“No,” McAvennie said when asked if Celtic should keep Lustig. “I think he’s been great for Celtic. He’s been outstanding, and when (interim manager Neil) Lennon came back in he thinks he’s a centre forward.
“He has been taking free-kicks and playing up front, but I just think he’s getting past his best and Celtic need to bring youngsters in. It’s not a slate on Mikael but I just think his time is up.”
Celtic could lose another two right-backs this summer with Cristian Gamboa also out of contract and Jeremy Toljan set to return to Borussia Dortmund when his contract expires.
It remains to be seen if the club will spend big on a replacement or put their faith in youngster Tony Ralston instead.
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