Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko has admitted that he is unhappy with his recent playing time.
Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko looks dejected
Celtic have enjoyed a remarkable season under Brendan Rodgers, winning the Scottish Premiership title for a sixth straight season – but this one has come with the added accolade of coming with an unbeaten record.
Celtic have dropped just six points in the Scottish Premiership this season, have won the Scottish League Cup, and are into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup having enjoyed an unbeaten domestic campaign.
Whilst players such as Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong and James Forrest have improved under Brendan Rodgers, not everybody is enjoyed their time at Celtic Park.
Defender Erik Sviatchenko joined Celtic from Midtjylland in his native Denmark in January 2016, with Ronny Deila swooping to sign the centre back after issues with both Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic at centre back..
Sviatchenko, 25, has largely been a regular for Celtic, but Boyata and Simunovic have recently emerged as Rodgers’ first-choice centre back pairing, with Sviatchenko coming in and out of the side since the turn of the year.
That seemingly isn’t what Sviatchenko had in mind, as he told BT in Denmark earlier this month that he is frustrated with his lack of playing time in 2017, admitting that he isn’t happy with his ‘tiresome’ situation.
Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko celebrates winning the final
Sviatchenko’s comments will spark rumours over his future this summer, especially after both Leicester and Southampton looked to sign him in January, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
Strong, quick and confident on the ball, Sviatchenko may not be quite as impressive as former Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, but he could still carve out a role in the Premier League, as centre back-needy teams like Leicester and Southampton should be looking to make moves again this summer, with his lack of playing time more down to Rodgers trusting those in form rather than his quality.
Other teams such as Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion should also be eyeing Sviatchenko in order to boost their defence, with Celtic potentially being forced to sell the defender should his unhappiness continue over the coming months.
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