Celtic willing to sell Lagerbielke? Surely not…
It was reported last night by the ever reliable Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail that Celtic are willing to listen to offers for Swedish Centre back Gustaf Lagerbielke. If he is reporting on it, there must be some substance to it as he’s usually spot on when it comes to dealings from inside the club. And John Kennedy’s comments on moving on players in January, especially defenders, at yesterday’s media conference certainly supports the claim made by the Daily Mail man last night.
If so, it’s a crazy situation and one that I can’t get my head around. Not just because Gustaf scored the winner against Feyenoord, but the fact we just signed him in the summer and he’s only played a handful of games. He’s never even been given a chance.
Even the cumbersome Nat Phillips was preferred before him and in my mind Gustaf is the much better player.
Of course Brendan takes the training and sees things we don’t, but Gustaf was the Swedish player of the year, and the Allsvenskan is a decent level of football. He’s also been picked by his national side on a few occasions, so he’s clearly got the talent, and he’s not a ‘project’ player. He’s an experienced international footballer.
Which makes it all the stranger why he now seems surplus to requirements. It’s a peculiar situation to say the least.
It looks like his allotted space in the Celtic squad has been taken by the surprise emergence of Liam Scales this season, who was almost certainly going to be sold to Aberdeen before Celtic’s injury problems kicked in earlier in the campaign.
What is strange though is that Celtic released the shorts video on Gustaf training yesterday on the very day that it’s reported he’s surplus to requirements.
What do you think about Lagerbielke? Should Celtic sell him in January or is that a mistake?
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Difficult to believe although the emergence of Liam Scales as an automatic first choice has added an extra dimension to the situation re surplis centrebacks. Phillips & Kobayashi undoubtedly need to be moved on but think it’s too soon for Lagerbielke – a loan deal makes much more sense to give him game time & find out his true potential.
Ideally, I’d like to see him at Killie for a loan spell under McInnes – he improved Scales & Christie no end in their time out on loan to him at Aberdeen.
I would keep him, he’s got something there! He scored recently for Sweden too! He’s cultured! And obviously liking being here!!!
Gus is on a 5 year contract.I would tell Celtic that I’m not leaving unless it’s a loan deal at a decent club,for a season,then I’m coming back.Rodgers and Kennedy could be gone by then.If no loan deal,do a Bobo.Turn up for work,train with the players you are told to train with and bank your salary.Very poor/strange way for Celtic to treat the guy.