Former Celtic defender, Erik Sviatchenko, is in line for a return to Ibrox with FC Midtjylland drawing Steven Gerrard’s side in the 3rd Round of the Europa League Qualifiers.
The talk was of another ex-Celt potentially drawing the Ibrox club with Mikael Lustig; however, it was the big Dane who could be headed back to Glasgow, should Rangers overcome their old adversaries Progres over the next two weeks.
Sviatchenko scored against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup semi-final, which saw Ronny Deila’s side beaten on penalties; however, in the following ‘Invincible’ Season, Sviatchenko played in numerous victories against the Govan club – including a 5-1 hammering at Celtic Park and a 2-1 victory at Ibrox on Hogmanay.
Erik had to settle for a place on the bench in the 5-1 demolition at Ibrox in the April that year, which will give him fond memories should he return. Unfortunately, that would be the last time that Sviatchenko would visit Ibrox with Celtic, he was injured in the early season against Rosenborg in the Champions League qualifiers then loaned to FC Midtjylland, who sealed a permanent deal for him a few months later.
It is staggering that a defender like Sviatchenko was allowed to leave Celtic due to arrivals of two players who failed to impress, Marvin Compper and Jack Hendry.
If you canvassed the entire crowd at Celtic Park and gave then these three names and said we could only have one, then just about everyone would have opted for Sviatchenko. Yet Rodgers, who was being paid £2.5million a year to make the calls got rid of Sviatchenko and signed Compper for £1million from RB Leipzig and Hendry from Dundee for £1.25million.
Sviatchenko back to Glasgow? ????????
If Rangers progress to the third qualifying round of @EuropaLeague they will face @eriksviat & his FC Midtjylland side. pic.twitter.com/g9ZcLmJKvk
— Celtic FC Fans & News ???? (@Celtic1888News) July 22, 2019
Quite astonishing really.
Erik Sviatchenko remains hugely popular with the Celtic support. A victory in Europe over the Rangers would turn him into a hero!
