Celtic must make sure Mikael Lustig’s centre-back show was a one-off

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Celtic defender Mikael Lustig was given the full 90 minutes on Sunday at Dens Park, but not how we expected him to.

Instead, it wasn’t in place of Jeremy Toljan. The disappointing German continues to get game-time at Parkhead despite not showing enough to make the right-back spot his own.

Lustig was given a shot at centre-back in the absence of Dedryck Boyata. Both he and Jozo Simunovic weren’t in the match-day squad. Despite no reports of an injury, Jack Hendry wasn’t either.

For the match itself, barring one or two errors, Lustig was fine. Lustig didn’t have much to deal with defensively, and was often looking to join in attacking moves. He didn’t get many opportunities to get crosses into the box, but he consistently recycled possession.

But it’s absolutely vital that this display doesn’t go to Lennon’s head. Against a side even slightly better than Dundee, this is a risky selection. Lustig’s worst quality is his one-v-one defending. Therefore, if he’s to continue at centre-back in the coming weeks, it will cost Celtic goals.

Fortunately, we all know Celtic’s first-choice partnership involves Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer. With Filip Benkovic back and Simunovic hopefully following, this isn’t something we’ll see too much of.

Against genuine pace, Lustig struggles. We saw it when Dundee struck on the counter on Sunday. Scott Wright drove into the space where Lustig should’ve been. It was late on in the first half, and Scott Bain had to make a top save.

Lustig is a right-back and nothing else

Lustig just doesn’t inspire confidence, particularly when backtracking. But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be back in the team.

He remains a better option than Toljan, unfortunately. The Borussia Dortmund loan star did look brighter against Dundee, but his crossing was dreadful. Toljan, too often, is choosing the safe option, and subsequently bringing nothing to the team.

The likes of Motherwell’s Gboly Ariyibi has given him a runaround. Toljan has also looked shaky at venues such as Tynecastle and Rugby Park.

Celtic could do a lot worse than give Lustig his right-back slot back. But, even in emergencies, playing the Swede at centre-back is always a risk.

Dundee proved he’s too easily caught out. Against better opposition, it’s a recipe for disaster. He can get away with it a right-back a lot more than he can in the centre. Here’s hoping that Lennon got that message on Sunday too.