Celtic have been after a right back for quite some time, and they were linked with quite a few names in the past one year or so. Now that is often a tricky situation for the current player in that position. Mikael Lustig would be aware that the club is looking to sign an upgrade or his replacement.
Therefore sometimes these players deserve more respect especially if they keep on giving their hundred per cent for their club even with all the rumours circulating throughout. Celtic did go on to sign Jeremy Toljan from Borussia Dortmund in January, but the German fullback has been found wanting defensively.
Lustig is currently in the last few months of his contract, and he recently gave an update about his future. He said (Daily Record), ”Neil and I talked together shortly after he returned We discussed a little bit about my situation and about what might happen next year. We’re both in a situation where we don’t know what the future holds come the summer. You naturally want to know what the future holds but in football that’s not always the case and I’m used to that.”
It’s clear that Lustig himself is in the dark about his future and the next few months could be his last at Parkhead. The Swedish defender joined the club in 2012 and is going to complete seven years in Glasgow. That kind of loyalty is often not seen in football these days and Lustig has been more than an able servant at his prime.
It’s true that his performance level has come down, but his commitment and desire to play for the badge has never been doubted. We believe he still might be in with a chance to get another short term contract (One or two years) at the club.
Now, most of the fans would probably want to see him move away. However, one needs to remember that Celtic can lose as many as three right back as Toljan, Cristian Gamboa and Lustig’s contract are expiring in the summer.
So the club can keep Lustig as a backup option and look to sign another right back in the summer who could act as a first choice option. There is no doubt that the 32-year-old can still do a job in that role and having an experienced man like him in the squad would also help the youngsters. Therefore, we for sure still feel that Lustig might be in with a chance to continue his stint at Celtic Park.
