Erik Sviatchenko "100%" wants to return to Celtic one day

By David Walton

January 26, 2022

Former Celtic centre-back Erik Sviatchenko has confirmed that he “100%” wants to return to Celtic one day.

The experienced 30-year-old is a former Danish international but also has plenty of title-winning experience to his name. With 3 Danish Superliga titles to his name and 2 Scottish Premiership wins, Sviatchenko is something of a serial winner.

Making 63 appearances for the Hoops between 2016 and 2018, Erik is still remembered fondly. Despite speculation over a potential return last summer [Daily Record], Postecoglou decided to look elsewhere as Carl Starfelt arrived in his place.

But Sviatchenko clearly hasn’t given up hope of a Parkhead return one day. In fact, it appears as if it’s a priority for him to achieve it.

Speaking to Football Scotland, Erik said: “Yeah, 100% [he would return]. At the moment, I’m at a stage in my career where I’m at my best age and best football. I’m giving that to FC Midtjylland at the moment and I know how much they value me here and wouldn’t let me go unless someone paid a lot of millions!

“But who knows? Maybe one day if I’m good enough. If not, I won’t. But as I always said, there are two clubs. it’s Midtjylland, and it’s Celtic. They are my clubs.”

Difficult to see Erik Sviatchenko making a Celtic playing return

In terms of sentimental value, it would of course be great to see Erik make a return to Parkhead. Given he’s an invincible treble winner and enjoyed great success here, he would be welcomed with open arms.

However, we also have to be realistic. Celtic would hope to have the partnership of Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers available for the long-term. A return for Sviatchenko wouldn’t be likely for some time yet.

The player is also now 30 years of age. He’s already in his prime years and it won’t be long before he’s, in theory, past his best. That may be a cynical way of looking at things, but it’ll be difficult to see Ange going for a 30-something-year-old centre-back who he’s already rejected.

It would feel more likely that Sviatchenko could potentially return in a coaching capacity once his playing days are over. But even then he would have a long road to go down before that could happen.

Sadly, the prospect of a realistic return to Parkhead as a player looks as if it’s being overly-ambitious. Erik was a fine servant for the club and achieved plenty of trophy success. That won’t ever be forgotten and it’s why, after only 2 years at the club, he’s still a much-adored figure here.

But this Celtic team is evolving under Ange and it’s hugely difficult to see what role Erik could play in that.

In other news, Defender explains why Ange Postecoglou didn’t sign him for Celtic