‘We don’t know what the future holds come the summer,’ Lustig in same boat as Lenny

MIKAEL LUSTIG is still in the dark as to whether Celtic will take up the one year option that is available to the club to keep the Swede at the club next season.

Initially Lustig had a chat with the former manager who brought in Jerry Toljan from Borussia Dortmund in the January window. More recently the Sweden World Cup star has had a chat with Neil Lennon – the manager who signed him for the club – but he’s in the the same boat as Lustig in that he doesn’t know of he’ll be at Celtic beyond the end of the season.

With all the uncertainty of Rodgers and Co leaving, experienced players such as Lustig and skipper Scott Brown are surely going to play an important role in guiding Celtic towards the magical 10 in a row. It would be madness to allow Lustig to walk out the door in May, given the circumstances.

And can anyone really argue that Toljan, good player that he is, has improved Celtic at right back in the time he’s been on the park? Lustig played most games last season, then went to the World Cup and was first back to play for Celtic again this season. if he had a dip in form in the autumn there was noticeable improvement in his form after the winter break.

“Neil and I talked together shortly after he returned,” Lustig told the new edition of the Celtic View.

“We discussed a little bit about my situation and about what might happen next year. We’re both in a situation where we don’t know what the future holds come the summer.

“I try not to think too much about the future but it’s always in your head, especially when you have a family. You naturally want to know what the future holds but in football that’s not always the case and I’m used to that.

“I’ve been here for a long time and I’ve loved every second of my time here.”

The Swede is well aware that he’s been on the receiving end of criticism from some elements of the support who usually state that ‘his legs have gone,’ without every explain where to.

“Facing criticism is part of football. It’s natural when you are playing at a high level but it’s not something all players can handle,” Lustig noted.

“That’s what makes this squad so special. Everyone is mentally strong and can deal with the challenges which come our way without it negatively impacting on us.

“As long as you know yourself what you are capable of and have the manager’s and team mate’s backing, you can keep going and overcome any negativity.

“The most important thing is to win games and trophies.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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