Former Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke continues remarkable revival at World Cup

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Celtic fans’ eyes may have been on Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti during Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia at the FIFA World Cup on Sunday.

But they weren’t the only ones with Celtic connections on the pitch, because a certain Gustaf Lagerbielke was starting for Graham Potter’s side.

Lagerbielke’s spell at Celtic was short-lived; he spent two seasons in Glasgow, playing only ten matches for the champions of Scotland.

But that hasn’t stopped Lagerbielke from still reaching world football’s biggest stage and now becoming an important player for Sweden.

• READ MORE: What the Japanese media said about Celtic’s Daizen Maeda after World Cup draw v Netherlands

Should Gustaf Lagerbielke have been given more of a chance at Celtic?

Now playing for Sweden at the World Cup…🌎

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Gustaf Lagerbielke helps Sweden thump Tunisia at the World Cup

When Scotland were qualifying for the World Cup by beating Denmark and topping Group C, it was a disaster for Sweden in Group B.

Collecting a miserable two points, Sweden finished dead last in the group, having dismissed Jon Dahl Tomasson in October before handing the managerial reins to Potter.

Lagerbielke was part of that group, but he picked himself up, alongside his teammates, to earn their golden World Cup ticket via the playoffs, and now they have begun with a bang!

The former Hoops man played the entire game and earned himself a rating of ‘6.8’ by Sofascore.

Lagerbielke’s rise after leaving Celtic

When Lagerbielke joined Celtic, Brendan Rodgers had just returned for his second spell, and he played in the first Glasgow derby of the season – Celtic would win.

But his Celtic appearances, thereafter, would be few and far between.

Following a positive loan spell at FC Twente, the 26-year-old secured a permanent move to Braga last summer and has been making a serious name for himself ever since.

Lagerbielke helped Braga beat Celtic in the Europa League last season, finishing fourth in Portugal’s top-tier, as his Sweden caps continue to rise.