Five-goal star openly admits he wants Celtic return

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Erik Svitachneko has told Football Scotland that he would consider a return to Celtic – even if it might cost the Hoops “a lot of millions”. The defender left Celtic to return to FC Midtjylland in the summer of 2018.

Sviatchenko, 30, has been superb for Midtjylland over the last four years since his return to the club that Celtic signed him from. Now captain of the Danish outfit, he has helped them win the 2019-20 Danish Superliga title.

In 2018-19 and last season, Midtjylland finished second with Sviatchenko a crucial part of the team. His form this season has been fantastic, helping his side keep 11 clean sheets in 28 games – and scoring five times himself.

Asked if he would consider a return to Celtic, Sviatchenko made it utterly clear he would – stating Celtic and Midtjylland are his teams. But he also said it would cost a lot of money, given he is in the best form of his career.

“Yeah, 100 per cent [I would return]. At the moment, I’m at a stage in my career where I’m at my best age and best football. I’m giving that to FC Midtjylland at the moment and I know how much they value me here.

“They wouldn’t let me go unless someone paid a lot of millions. But who knows? Maybe one day if I’m good enough. If not, I won’t. There’s two clubs. It’s Midtjylland, and it’s Celtic. They are my clubs.”

Sviatchenko on Celtic return: Do the Hoops need him right now?

The player was linked with a return to the Hoops last summer, but Ange Postecoglou chose to bring in Sweden international Carl Starfelt – and USA ace Cameron Carter-Vickers on a loan-to-buy deal from Tottenham.

The latter has been superb and a permanent deal is likely, while Starfelt is yet to live up to his price tag. Stephen Welsh is good cover and Chris Jullien is returning. So, right now, Celtic do not need Sviatchenko.

But that could change in the summer – if Celtic choose not to sign Carter-Vickers permanently, with a fee of £6million needed. Starfelt is struggling and Welsh has been linked with Udinese. Perhaps, a return is on the cards.