Mikael Lustig

Christie’s goal on the weekend came from a left footed Lustig cross but aye, in general you’re right.

 

Very rare maybe no confidence in the left to play passes from the back, just always annoyed me as you can see him drifting inside to try to turn into the right for the pass.

 

Aye when it comes to games where we’re in control he is great but when we aren’t in control like the last game against the huns or in europe he struggles like * to defend against anyone with pace and on the ball he just aimlessly lumps it or passes it back.

 

Mikael Lustig has had a target on his back all season as Celtic’s most expendable player.

James Forrest insists it would be a mistake to write off the Swedish full-back.

The 32-year-old, Celtic’s most decorated foreign player with 14 medals to his name in a glittering seven-year-career with the club, has spent the past 18 months hearing that the Hoops need a new man in Lustig's slot.

They now have one after the arrival on loan of Jeremy Toljan from Borussia Dortmund, a short-term fix.

It’s a solution to a problem that Forrest isn’t sure is actually there in the first place.

The 73 times capped defender may have been vulnerable to a switch with his contract running down towards the club’s option on him in the summer, but his four assists in the last two games have shown he still has an appetite to protect his jersey for a while yet.


Forrest said: “What Mika has done for Celtic has been top class.

I don’t know what he is going to do at the end of the season but I hope he stays.

“He’s a top professional, he has been a great player at international level too and I think he’s still as fit as he has always been.

“He has been contributing the assists recently as well and his confidence is pretty high just now


The clean sheets over the last few weeks have probably helped from that point of view but since Mika came in he has definitely helped me.

“Defensively it’s great for me to know that he is playing behind me.

“He gives us good cover on that right side and he can also play centre-back too.

“Whatever winger plays out there, it’s good to know he’s there to help.”

Boss Brendan Rodgers remained cagey on the club’s intentions on whether to pick up the extra year on Lustig’s deal when the Swede’s current contract expires at the end of the season.

Forrest insists his presence and influence alongside Scott Brown in the dressing room as much as on the park would be missed by the players if he goes.

He said: “Mika is a very strong character so I don’t think he’ll be too bothered by any criticism.

“He’ll just keep fighting and wanting to play at a big club like Celtic and all the boys want him to stay too.

“It will be up to him and the club obviously, but he’s a big character in the changing room as well as on the park and we all want him there.

“Broony and Mika are the two biggest characters in the changing room and on the park they both help young boys, the same as they do at training.

“I think that they are both really important players for the team.”

 

* love how snide his caption is

 

Posted something about being together on the Celtic page the other night as well

Vice-captain, Celtic Legend and Rodgers never even had the courtesy to tell him he was leaving... he’ll * hate the *.

 

The big man loves it.

Just waiting for his ‘* Brendan Rodgers, he’ll no be winning trophy’s anymore’ caption when we win the treble!

 

Yass Mika.

* love the mad *.

 

That "together" statement just says so much.

 

Thought he was excellent last night. Would be more than happy for him to get an extension and back up a new right back next season.

 

Same but think he deserves to go to a team where he will be a starter. Been a great servant and if wants to stay purely as Back Up great.

 

Twice in the transfer market Rodgers has tried to replace Lustig , with Gamboa then Toljan(Loan)
He's tried to improve our centre of defense with Compper and Hendry.

 

Love the fella. Love him.

But hes done.

 

I agree. He will have his moments but we need consistency

 

I am with Jeannie , the guy has the heart of a lion but he now lacks pace and other teams are well aware of his limitations. Time to let him move on and drop a level while we will hopefully get a decent right back in during the summer .

 

Doubt very much we'd be able to find a more committed and passionate RB for the team, but we sure as * could find someone to improve the quality. He's a legend though.

 

Got a reminder today he's the last man standing from the 11 that started against Barça that night.

 

Should extend his contract for 6 months and let him go back to Sweden in January, could be important in the European qualifiers as we always seem to have injuries in defence at that time and we'll be without Toljan, Boyata and Benkovic probably.