Mikael Lustig came on as a 74th minute substitution last night as Sweden played out a boring goalless draw with fellow World Cup qualifiers Denmark. Sweden face Peru next Saturday before travelling to Russia.
The likeable Swede turned out 53 times for club and country last season and played a vital part in Sweden’s play off victory over Italy.
He is looking forward to his first world cup after staring at the Euro’s two years ago. He said: ““The past two seasons with Celtic have been incredible and to now be going to the World Cup is a dream for me. These are exciting times and I’m loving every moment of it. I know as a fan how it feels back home when Sweden do well in any tournament. We have a good team, we are a close group and while Brazil will be favourites to win the group, they always are, we have a great chance of getting through.”
Lustig World Cup memories start in 1994. Like most Celtic fans this was the tournament that we all caught a glimpse of the legend that is Henrik Larsson.
“My first memory of the World Cup was when I was seven and we finished third “Sweden had a great side back then and the whole country got behind the team. I remember Henrik Larsson’s goal in the third place play off against Holland when he scored from a long way out. That was the first time I had seen Henrik, I think. He did pretty well after that.
Sweden start their World Cup campaign against South Korea on 18 June.
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THE CELTIC STAR PODCAST which recently won the Podcast of the Year at the Football Blogging Awards in London, has a special edition out this week, which features a brilliant interview with Celtic cult hero Rudi Vata. It’s another great listen…
