After Celtic’s very own septem horribilis, the last thing Hoops fans needed to see was a defender they sold for £1 million holding his own against arguably the most fearsome football attack in Europe.
Erik Sviatchenko’s departure from Celtic Park in 2018 was contentious at the time.
Two years later, hindsight doesn’t look fondly on the decision. Especially after a week in which Celtic shipped eight goals in three matches and fell six points behind bitter rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table.
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Marquee summer signing Shane Duffy has hardly looked like the solution to Neil Lennon’s defensive deficiencies either. He was exposed time and again by Aberdeen’s high-octane attack during Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Pittodrie.
And, just two days after a third successive setback, Celtic fans have been left wondering what might have been as Sviatchenko stepped up in style during Midtjylland’s Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
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Yes, Jurgen Klopp’s side prevailed, as they so often do. But in 90 minutes they managed just one goal from open play against a Midtjylland side marshalled by captain fantastic Sviatchenko.
Since bidding an emotional farewell to the Glasgow giants, Sviatchenko has lifted two Danish league titles and a domestic cup.
Now he can add ‘established Champions League centre-half’ to his CV.
Here’s what some Celtic fans had to say about the situation…
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