Celtic’s Gustaf Lagerbielke has been named as Sweden’s Defender of the Season after his displays for Elfsborg. The 23-year-old signed for Celtic for a fee in the region of £3m as he was billed as replacing Carl Starfelt after his compatriot moved to Celta Vigo.
At an awards ceremony last night, Lagerbielke was rewarded, despite Elfsborg losing to Malmo in the Allsvenskan Final.
Gustaf Lagerbielke awarded Defender of the Season with Elfsborg in Sweden 🏆 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/3p2wYYL4Am
— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) November 14, 2023
Lagerbielke has drifted somewhat out of the first team picture. The young defender has shown some indecision and rashness at various points this season, namely the sending off in Rotterdam and getting caught on the ball against Rangers – where Cyril Dessers fouled him before assisting Kemar Roofe’s goal, that was correctly ruled out.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Nat Phillips and Maik Nawrocki are ahead of Lagerbielke at present, especially if domestic team sheets are anything to go by. With Phillips’ loan deal expected to end in January and Stephen Welsh returning from injury, Lagerbielke might also find himself reviewing his options.
Lagerbielke could benefit from a loan deal in the coming months as Brendan Rodgers will want the promising youngster to get game time, especially if there is little prospect of working his way up the chain.
Congratulations to Gustaf Lagerbielke on being named Allsvenskan defender of the season 👏🏼🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/oGddWbYZqZ
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) November 14, 2023
