Scott Brown yesterday hinted that Mikael Lustig’s inevitable departure may not be as certain as is first thought.
A report from the Daily Record claimed Lustig had a medical booked in Belgium yesterday. With the Swedish defender out of contract, he’s free to talk to any club about a proposed move.
It still seems as though his departure is imminent in any case. The Record claimed that the defender wasn’t offered a new contract by the Hoops. That was quite a surprise given the relationship he has with the current manager Neil Lennon.
And Brown seemed to put a different perspective on the deal yesterday. Speaking at his press conference on Celtic TV, Brown stated his belief that the club and Lustig are still in talks.
“Lustig’s been phenomenal. I think the club and Mikael are still talking now. So hopefully they can come to some sort of agreement. It would be great if he could come back.
“We love him in the dressing room. The fans love him as well. I think the last season would probably be the best football I’ve seen him play. He’s just kicked on. He’s still playing with Sweden, still playing football, and still got that hunger in his belly that he wants to thrive and win more trophies.
“Here’s hoping it’s at us.”
A player loved by many – but it’s best we part ways
Lustig’s service to the club continues to be remembered, and rightfully so. It’s clear from Brown’s words that he was loved by the dressing room just as he was with so many of the Celtic fanbase.
Lustig didn’t return for pre-season training. His contract with the club is now up, and he could be doing with resolving his future as soon as possible. If that’s to be in Genk, however, it would be the best for all parties.
Celtic must know in their head that it’s time to part ways. Costly errors have crept into Lustig’s game over the last two years. Extending his deal is us limiting ourselves. Sure, he could stay on as back-up if he wished to do so, but should Celtic really be paying to wages to a back-up right-back?
Brown didn’t appear to think a move to Genk was a done deal though. He clearly still believes Lustig and the club are still trying to thrash out a deal.
It would be a stunning u-turn if that was the case. But as it stands, it’s difficult to see him not ending up in Belgium if he had a medical there yesterday.
It would give Lustig the opportunity to prolong his playing days in a good club’s starting XI. At his age, that’ll be all that matters. Any stay at Parkhead would be dramatic, but it would still seem highly unlikely.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
