Mikael Lustig

Started a golf YouTube channel

 

Wernbloom was a midfielder i always wanted us to sign. A dirty * lol

 

Golf *!

 

Golf skelper.

 

It puts a smile on my face”

Mikael Lustig can laugh at it all now, but he made an inauspicious start for Celtic on his debut against Aberdeen when he was culpable for the Dons' goal in a 1-1 draw back in March 2012.

Few would have predicted the extraordinary journey that followed. Lustig went on to make 273 appearances for Celtic, score 21 goals and 16 winners medals. He lifted the league title in every single season he played.

That success comes with a treasure trove of memories, whether it was the now-famous Rabona at McDiarmid Park, which ended in a Moussa Dembele goal, his step-over goal and subsequent jersey over the head celebration at Ibrox in a 5-1 win, or the unforgettable moment he donned a policeman's hat during a title-winning derby match.

When asked how proud he is of his Celtic years, Lustig said: “I’m so, so grateful I could be there for so many years—playing with great players, under top managers. Every time I think about Celtic, it just puts a smile on my face.”

A Celtic player for all managers
During his time at the club, Lustig played under Neil Lennon, Ronny Deila, and Brendan Rodgers—three very different coaches with equally different styles.

The 38-year-old offered a unique insight into what made all of them tick during their managerial tenures at Parkhead.









Lustig said: "They were all very different in their own way. Neil Lennon brought me to the club and was also the manager when I played my last game. I owe him a lot. He was great in the dressing room, brilliant at man-management—a great coach and a great human being.

"Ronny came from Norway and learned a lot during that period. He’s done well in the U.S. since. He was a really good coach.”

As for Brendan Rodgers?

Lustig waxed lyrical about the present boss.

The former Swedish international said: “He is probably the best coach I’ve ever worked under. Just a top, top professional. I was really happy to play under him. Tactically, he is the best, a true perfectionist."

However, when Rodgers left for Leicester in February 2019, Lustig, like many Celtic fans, was gutted. He didn’t hide his feelings on the subject at the time either.

Back then, Lustig said: “I only regret that he left the way he did. When you say you are a fan of Celtic, you do not quit the club in February. I do not approve of his choice, and he knows it.”

He's a lot more mellow now and has a sense of perspective on those events.

Lustig reflects: “I’m an emotional man. When he left in February, I was angry. I wasn’t ready for it. I always want what’s best for Celtic. When Brendan came back, I was the first to say yes. He’s a brilliant manager, and I hope he brings even more success.”

Creating a culture in the dressing room
Whilst Lustig was remembered for his footballing ability in Glasgow, he was also a larger-than-life personality. His dressing room antics are the stuff of legend amongst players, and his camaraderie with teammates was a hallmark of the Celtic teams he played in.

He was as thick as thieves with captain Scott Brown. But there was a time for fun at Celtic and a time to be serious. The club made a habit of winning everything when Lustig was around, and winning with a bit of swagger was fun.

He was an invaluable part of Rodgers' Invincible Treble side. He won the Treble Treble, which saw an unprecedented Scottish football milestone achieved. He was also a member of Lennon's Celtic team, who defeated the mighty Barcelona in the Champions League on an unforgettable night at Parkhead in November 2012.

He credits the Scottish core group of players like Brown, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, and Kieran Tierney for keeping the standards exceptionally high and the spirits light.

Lustig said: “We had a great balance. We laughed a lot but were serious when we needed to be. That’s what it’s all about.

"To this day, I still don't know how we beat Barcelona in the Champions League, but we did.

“Scott Brown is the best captain I’ve ever played with. He is one of the best players, too. He was brilliant at knowing when to joke and when to switch to serious mode. People sometimes overlook Broony's ability, but he was an excellent footballer.

Was Lustig a prankster and joker like Broony? “I once put a shrimp in James’s teacup,” he said, "I just loved being around the lads and having a laugh.”

So, where did stealing the policeman's hat during a Celtic v Rangers game come from then?

Lustig said: "No, I didn't think of it before the game. That game is something special.

"You've been thinking of that game for so many days, and you feel the tension. When James (Forrest) scored to make it 3-0, it felt like the game was over.

"When I celebrated, there was just a cop standing there. I was like, 'Why not?' You just take it.

"There are so many memories. The Invincible record is still there. To go through a whole season in both cups and in the domestic league, to not just have one off day, that's crazy.

"To score a goal against Rangers was amazing. For me, it was a really special goal. To be 4-1 up and you see all their supporters leaving the stadium, and then you're able to score to make it 5-1. Our supporters were just bouncing in the background. That's absolutely a moment that will stick with me."






Lustig was so adored for all of his antics on and off the pitch that he had not one but two terrace anthems dedicated to his honour.

One of them was to the tune of Atomic Kitten’s 'Whole Again', the other was to ABBA's 'Thank You for the Music'.

Lustig joked: “That Atomic Kitten song, I can’t listen to it without thinking of me!

“People say we stole it from England, who sang it about their former head coach, Gareth Southgate, but we did it in 2017. They copied us in 2018! That's my song now, sorry Gareth!"












What Lustig sees in Celtic now
Lustig still follows the club closely from Sweden, watching nearly every game and is still in touch with former teammates and club staff.

He said: “I might not talk much to the players anymore about Celtic, but I keep in touch with some staff as well as James (Forrest) and Cal (McGregor). I still care deeply.”

He reserved high praise for Celtic's current right-back Alistair Johnston.

He said: “AJ is proper good. He’s strong, quick, can defend, and even score goals. I hope he stays longer than I did.”

As if to prove that he was bang up to date with current events at Celtic, he revealed that the young 19-year-old right back Colby Donovan, who has impressed greatly in Johnston's absence through injury, reminds him of somebody closer to home.

Lustig even offered some veteran wisdom and sage advice to the teenager

Lustig said. “ I heard a lot of good things about this kid as well. I can see a little bit of myself in him as well. He's quite the big boy. Hopefully, we can see him in many games this season.

"My advice to him would probably be to tell him to talk with Kieran (Tierney) about that because he's done that already.

"When KT made his first training, he just properly tackled people. It didn't matter if it was Scott Brown or anyone else. He was just relentless.

"That would probably be my best advice. Just talk to Kieran and ask him how he felt."

Lustig remains optimistic about Celtic's Europa League prospects, although Rodgers' men have still to hit top gear both domestically and in Europe this season.

The crushing disappointment of crashing out of the Champions League to Kazakhstan minnows Kairat Almaty in the qualifiers may still linger, but Lustig is adamant that Celtic can embark on a Euro glory run in the second-tier tournament.

He said: "Celtic Park in Europe—anything can happen there. I think it’s actually easier now than before to go deep in the Europa League. If we go on a run, it could be brilliant.”











Celtic was 'one long highlight'
For Lustig, playing for Celtic during eight trophy-laden years was such a joyous experience.

He still gets recognised in Glasgow, and despite his hair turning a neat tinge of grey, he has been likened to a famous actor back home in Sweden.

He said: "I still get recognised, well, in Glasgow, for sure. Though I’ve got a few more grey hairs now, so maybe not for long. Hey, they have started to call me George Clooney over here. I’ll take that every day of the week.

"When you first arrive at Celtic, you don’t realise how big this club is. The longer you stay, you understand—no matter where in the world you go, you’ll see a Celtic badge, a pub, a shirt. It’s a massive club full of love.

"I love that club, and I never thought I would feel such a love for a club. My eight years with Celtic were one long highlight."

 

One of my favouite Celtic players from that period. Very much one of those guys who came to the club and became one of us on and off the field.