Mikael Lustig puts ball in Celtic’s court, Rodgers may now be worried about AIK rumour

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Celtic’s Mikael Lustig is out of contract next summer.

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig has told The Scottish Sun that it’s ‘up to Celtic’ whether he stays with the club, but said he will 100% head back to Sweden before he retires.

The Bhoys swooped to land Lustig from Rosenborg in 2012, and he has now racked up more than 200 appearances for the club whilst also winning seven league titles.

A Swedish international with 73 caps to his name, Lustig is one of the senior members of this Celtic squad, offering a veteran presence at the back alongside younger players like Kristoffer Ajer, Filip Benkovic and Kieran Tierney.

However, Lustig is out of contract at the end of the season, and whilst Celtic have a one-year option on the deal, it remains to be seen whether the Bhoys will activate it.

At almost 32, Lustig’s best days may be behind him, and Celtic could look to bring in younger right back to replace him, though with Cristian Gamboa also out of contract, the position may have to be overhauled.

Lustig has now commented on the situation, putting the ball in Celtic’s court by suggesting he will see in a couple of week whether they want to activate the option on his deal, and he understands that they want to improve their team, but he wants to stay.

AIK Solna are understood to be preparing an offer to take Lustig back to Sweden, and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers may have been left to worry about that rumour after Lustig admitted that he will ‘100%’ return to Sweden before he retires, meaning that even if Celtic do activate the option on his deal, he may want to leave for AIK in the near future.

“We will see what happens. It’s in my contract and it’s up to Celtic so we’ll see in a couple of weeks. Celtic have an option to take up,” said Lustig. “We’ve done it before but they are always trying to improve the team. That’s normal. I don’t know what will happen, but happen, but I am all about the team. As long as Celtic do good, I am happy. But I am here to fight for my position. I want to be here.”

“I’ve always said I love this club and I love Glasgow, but I am 100 per cent sure I am going to move back to Sweden one day. There is more history to be made here, but I am 32 in a couple of weeks. I always want to play for Celtic, but I know my ability and if they don’t want me then I’m sure I will find a place where I am going to be happy,” he added.