Mikael Lustig looks set to leave Celtic this month.
Erik Sviatchenko has offered glowing praise of Celtic defender Mikael Lustig ahead of his likely Parkhead exit.
It looks increasingly likely that the Sweden right-back will be leaving Celtic this summer after seven years of service, despite Neil Lennon stating that he wants him to stay.
Lustig is out of contract in Glasgow this month and hinted that he’s leaving on Instagram by posting a compilation of his best bits this week.
The 32-year-old has won 16 major trophies since joining the Hoops in 2012 under Lennon, and Sviatchenko, a fellow Scandinavian, says that his former Celtic team-mate will leave with a very heavy heart.
He told The Record: “If Mikael does call time on his Celtic career then he will do so with a heavy heart. Celtic is just a magical place to be and it is a great club to play football for.
“Mikael has had an amazing period of success at Celtic. To win eight titles in a row is incredible. I was privileged to play alongside him as he is my fellow Scandinavian and we were partners during Brendan Rodgers’ Invincible season which will live long in the memory of the players as well as the Celtic supporters.
“Mikael has done well to stay at a club like Celtic for such a lengthy period of time and he kept his levels very high. He gave the club so much and captained the side many times. It is rare for any player to stay beyond five years with the same team in modern football.”
Lustig is on around £24,000 per week with the Bhoys [The Daily Star]. It’s very good money and if Celtic’s hierarchy don’t anticipate him being a major star for Lennon’s side here on in, they might be reluctant to keep him on that money for his new deal.
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