Congratulations to Gustaf Lagerbielke on his Sweden call up. How he never got a better chance at Celtic is anyone’s guess…

Liam Scales and Gustaf Lagerbielke celebrate following Celtic’s victory during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Feyenoord at Celtic Park on December 13, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Gustaf Lagerbielke has been called up to the Swedish national side for the upcoming Nation League fixtures. The defender is on a season loan at FC Twente from Celtic, and has clearly impressed in his time at the Dutch side, which his international call up clearly suggests.

Gustaf signed for the club in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £3 million from Swedish side Elfsborg. Despite being highly rated, he struggled to make an impact under Brendan Rodgers, and like fellow defender Maik Nawrocki he was very much well and truly out of the picture.

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Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on September 19, 2023.Photo VI ANP Sport Jeroen Putmans

The problem though, much like Nawrocki, Lagerbielke was decent enough in the few times he was selected by the Irishman. He wasn’t the flop figure that his absence from the first team would suggest.

He looked very much a decent player in his few outings in the first team, much better than Stephen Welsh who was often favoured over the Swede. Although Brendan Rodgers sees more of him than any of us, and he’s better placed to judge.

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FC Twente defender Gustaf Lagerbielke, during the match Twente – Bodo Glimt at the Grolsch Veste, FC Twente Stadion for the UEFA Europa League – Knockout phase play-offs – 1st leg season 2024-2025 in ENSCHEDE, Netherlands on 13 februari 2025, photo by Stefan Koops / EYE4images/DeFodi Images

But It’s still very fair to point out that Lagerbielke has been very harshly treated. How he was never given a better chance at Celtic is anyone’s guess.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

27 August 2000: Henrik Larsson celebrates during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park. Celtic won the game 6 – 2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport