MIKAEL LUSTIG was a stalwart at Celtic. The Swede was signed on a free transfer from Rosenborg in the January transfer window of 2012 and went on to spend seven and a half years with the Scottish Champions. The Sweden International was revered by the Celtic support for his spirited displays on the park as well as getting what the club was all about off the park.
Yesterday marked a year on from the departure of the right-back, and now we reflect on how strong Celtic’s right-backs have become following the departure of a legend. Lustig and Celtic couldn’t agree on an extension to allow him to remain at the club, the club reduced the cash offered to the vice-captain as well as a one year deal. Lustig, then 32, wanted more security for his young family as well as an opportunity to play regular first team football to get him to EURO2020.
So Lustig and Celtic parted ways, Cristian Gamboa and loanee Jeremy Toljan left too heralding in a summer of anxiously checking below Celtic’s tweets to see a flurry of messages saying ‘announce a right back’. Celtic eventually obliged and signed relatively unknown Israeli internationalist Hatem Abd Elhamed from Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Elhamed appeared to have been deployed as a central defender as well as a right-back but whilst Lustig appeared leggy in his final season – primarily against Rangers’ Ryan Kent, Elhamed possessed pace and strength. He along with Tony Ralston were the only right-backs at the club but Elhamed proved that he was up to the task – even if the young Ralston still needed to develop, meaning another option may be needed due to Elhamed’s apparent injury record.
Austrian international Moritz Bauer was the next right-back to be signed up, arriving on a season-long loan from Stoke City. Celtic had an option to buy Bauer at the end of the season and it appeared to be smart business, buying an Internationalist that has Premier League experience should he prove to cover for Elhamed. Both Elhamed and Bauer featured in the 2-0 win at Ibrox at the beginning of September sending supporters into the first International break of the season on a high.
A win at Ibrox and the completion of Greg Taylor’s signing meant that Celtic had adequately recruited following what appeared to be a summer of transition. Two new signings would make their way to Paradise in the form of youngsters from Manchester’s big two – Lee O’Connor from United and Jeremie Frimpong from City.
The pair arrived with little fanfare but were both highly rated at their former clubs. Both youth Internationalists for Holland and Ireland respectively, the pair appeared to prioritise their development over becoming another small fish in a big Premiership pond.
Frimpong took his chance with a MOTM display in the League Cup win over Partick Thistle. Following this match, Frimpong proved himself as a ready replacement should an injury occur to either Bauer or Elhamed and the Dutch youngster didn’t have to wait long as Elhamed was soon on the treatment table.
Elhamed was injured in the 2-1 win over Lazio in Rome, allowing Frimpong to stamp his authority on the Celtic starting XI. Frimpong appeared to be a more direct replacement for Elhamed than the Bauer due to his abilities in offensive phases of play. Soon, it was clear that Frimpong was an incredible find and Celtic had a real talent on their hands at just 18-years-old. Despite a sending off in the League Cup Final, Frimpong’s aggressive attacking down the right hand side as well as dogged defending at the other end endeared him to the crowd if his bubbly, modest personality didn’t already.
O’Connor spent the second half of the season on loan at Partick Thistle with Ian McCall and whether a loan move will be on the cards next season or whether he will be utilised by Neil Lennon remains to be seen. However, at just 19-years-old, O’Connor is another highly rated prospect for the club to look forward to seeing in the next few years.
Ralston spent the season at Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone and performed admirably with a youthful Perth side, who turns their fortunes around dramatically. Ralston has another two years remaining on his deal at the Scottish Champions and he will know how important this preseason is in proving his worth – especially with the competition in the right-back area.
Elhamed returned and won a penalty in Celtic’s 5-0 win over St Mirren, the last game before Coronavirus sadly ended the season prematurely. The Israeli will be keen to return to training to battle for the starting position with Frimpong.
Following Lustig’s departure, Celtic looked to be short in the right back area; however, now, with Frimpong, Elhamed, Ralston and O’Connor, the club are in extremely strong position – perhaps the strongest that we have been in recent years.
