I HAVE GOT LUST FOR LIFE BACK
MIKAEL LUSTIG has never been happier at Celtic after getting back to basics saved his Parkhead career.
The Swedish full-back is in the best shape of his life after putting injuryravaged recent seasons behind him to become one of the most consistent performers in Brendan Rodgers’ squad.
Having feared niggle after niggle was making him a peripheral figure, Lustig’s consistency in the last campaign was rewarded in January with a new deal until 2019.
Now the 30-year-old is thrilled to be at the heart of what he believes is shaping up as a golden generation for the club after an invincible season that even he suspects may never happen again.
Lustig said: “The last two years have been great. I went back to basics, worked the way I did at Rosenborg and never missed a game.
“I’ve had a different role playing in a back three and it has suited me a little better. It feels good to always be on the pitch.
“The season I missed games were down to groin operations – which could happen to anyone.
“The other injury was caused by me landing awkwardly after a tackle and that could happen to anyone as well.
“It’s nice to be fit and getting 90 minutes most weeks. This is the happiest I’ve been.
“Stuart Armstrong has been brilliant but to get Moussa Dembele and Scotty Sinclair from England helps. They have made a really big impact.
“What we achieved is something that’s probably never going to happen again in Scottish football.
“I think we will get better but to collect that many points again might take a couple of years.”
Lustig can’t wait to see who else boss Rodgers can add to enhance the group over the summer.
He said: “The players have done brilliantly and anyone new has to prove they want to play here.
“Everyone knows what Celtic is about – 60,000 fans and trophies. If you’re an ambitious player come to Celtic.” AFTER an invincible season comes an intriguing summer that will tell us how serious Celtic are about taking their team to the next level.
Two reports this week summed up the dilemma that the club faces over these next two months.
First, the looming spectre of bigger fish such as Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund preparing moves to sign Moussa Dembele.
Brendan Rodgers has already said that Celtic aren’t a selling club but I’ve no doubt they’ll be tested this summer. If bids in the region of £30million are landing on Peter Lawwell’s desk that’s hard to ignore.
Dembele won’t be the only one I expect to attract attention. Kieran Tierney is one of the brightest prospects Scottish football has seen in years and hanging on to these players will require immense resolve.
But it’s vital they stand firm now if they are to build on the tremendous season they’ve had.
If they want to step up a level in Europe, they’ll have to step up CELTIC LEGEND WRITESEXCLUSIVELYFORYOU EVERY WEEK a level in recruitment. They must improve the quality in their squad – and they certainly can’t be seen to be weakening.
Which brings us neatly to the conundrum surrounding the second report to dominate Celtic thoughts this week – Jonny Hayes.
Now I have to make it clear, I like Hayes. He has had a great season. While I wouldn’t say he has carried Aberdeen at times they are certainly not the same team without him in it.
So in terms of weakening the opposition in Scotland it would be a significant signing if they complete the £1.2m deal reported to be in the pipeline.
But in terms of strengthening Celtic for the step up to the next level in European football, I’m not so sure.
That they are contemplating Hayes at all suggests that Patrick Roberts isn’t coming back.
That’s a loss because he offers something the other wide players in Celtic’s squad don’t.
Hayes is more in the mould of James Forrest and Scott Sinclair in the sense they bring a lot of pace – but Roberts is a different type in the way he plays.
When it comes to seeing a pass and executing it, Roberts offers more and he has a great ability to beat players in tight situations.
So I wonder whether Rodgers would prefer something more of his ilk. Hayes is not a like-for-like replacement because he doesn’t have the same attributes.
Of course having transformed the careers of Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor this term, Rodgers has every right to believe he could get more out of Hayes to take his game to new levels.
Forrest – another one who has dramatically improved under Rodgers after being widely written off – must also see the prospect of Hayes providing competition as a message to knuckle down and work hard to keep his place.
That’s healthy because if Celtic want to compete in Europe they need to have good competition within the squad.
So would Hayes be a good signing for Celtic? Domestically, yes. But for the next level in Europe? I’m not so sure.
At £1.2m it’s worth a punt. That’s a steal and it would be a body blow to their nearest rivals domestically.
In many ways I wouldn’t like to see Hayes leave Aberdeen because it will deplete them badly and diminish the competition in the Premiership.
Pedro Caixinha spoke about Aberdeen reaching the end of their cycle. So having lost Ryan Jack, Niall McGinn, Ash Taylor and possibly now Hayes, it’s important the Dons make a statement that they are going to push on.
They fended off Cardiff in the summer for Hayes but could they fend off Celtic? This time the winger will want to go but