Former Celtic icon Mikael Lustig takes step into coaching

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Former Celtic players get up to all sorts of activities following their retirement from the game as they move on to new pastures.

Coaching or punditry are the two most popular avenues; however, there are also rare anomalies that choose something completely different to fill the time.

Anyone with a working knowledge of Scottish football punditry will know who the main suspects are that have gone into that field, with Chris Sutton, Neil Lennon, Stiliyan Petrov, John Hartson and Mark Wilson some of the prominent voices heard on our televisions and radios.

Of course, Brendan Rodgers’ right-hand man John Kennedy, B team duo Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea, former club captain Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney have all made a name for themselves in coaching capacities since retiring, imparting their experience and wisdom gleaned at Parkhead.

Either way, just because you hang the boots up or choose to leave Celtic, it doesn’t mean you can’t still influence the game we all love.

Now, another Hoops favourite has now completed the transition to a coaching role with a top-flight outfit.

Former Celtic icon Mikael Lustig lands coaching position

Mikael Lustig was an iconic figure at Parkhead and has now managed to land a role coaching in the academy of Allsvenskan outfit Västerås Sportklubb, who will feature in the Swedish top-flight this season after several seasons in the lower leagues.

The 37-year-old has completed his DBA Elite Uefa B/A course for ex-players and had previously been helping the club in a less formal capacity.

Västerås academy director Gustav Høgmo Utstøl welcomed Lustig on board, stating: “It is an honour that Mikael is with us, he brings a lot of experience to our players and leaders. Above all, he is a person who really lives and promotes our values and strengthens our culture.” (Translated via Deep L).

Lustig earned cult hero status at Parkhead due to his solidity on the right-hand side of defence and his colourful personality, registering 21 goals and 40 assists in 276 appearances for Celtic [Transfermarkt].

Best of luck to the former Sweden international in his new role, and hopefully he can enjoy a successful career in coaching.