Former Sunderland and current AIK midfielder Sebastian Larsson has welcomed the idea of a return for Mikael Lustig back home.
The Celtic right-back is out of contract at the end of the season. As of yet, there’s no news of a deal being in the pipeline, despite there being just four months remaining on his deal.
Celtic upgraded on the right-back position during January with the loan signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Jeremy Toljan. It’s expected that he will now be first-choice given the importance of his signing.
But, if Lustig does indeed leave Parkhead, Larsson believes he’ll always be welcome back in his homeland. Speaking to Swedish outlet Expressen, the midfielder opened up on a potential return for the decorated full-back.
“I don’t know exactly how his situation looks at Celtic.
“It would be good for all Swedes and Swedish football if he moved home and I want him in AIK.”
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He’ll have plenty of admirers
There’s absolutely no denying Lustig’s achievements in the game. He’s been a part of each of Celtic’s seven-in-a-row title triumphs. Added to that, he has experience of last-16 Champions League football.
The closer we get to the end of the season, the more that new contract at Celtic doesn’t look likely. But, with Cristian Gamboa’s contract also running out at the end of the current campaign, Celtic may be inclined to keep Lustig as back-up.
The Hoops also have Anthony Ralston in reserve, with Manny Perez returning from his USA loan spell in the summer. There’s certainly going to be plenty of back-up if necessary next season if Celtic also splash out on a new right-back to replace Toljan.
It’s clear Lustig wont be short of options either, however. AIK may be one potential destination, but they haven’t offered him a formal contract as of yet. Lustig has stated that he wants to stay at Parkhead.
For now, he’ll continue to just pushing on in Celtic’s eight-in-a-row bid. But a decision will soon need to be made.