Euro Celts are looking on the tight side
c.swan@dailyrecord.co.uk are good reasons to believe the hard work which has been put into the tightening the rearguard will bring rich rewards in Scandinavia
The Hoops’ current form has convinced the defender they can enjoy a second successive crack at the last 32.
He said: “Yes, we feel confident at the moment. The last two times we have gone to Trondheim to play Rosenborg we’ve managed to get two clean sheets so hopefully we can make it three.
“We struggled with injuries from the beginning of the season until now.
“But in the last five or six weeks we have proved that we have a lot of quality and depth in the squad. We have a good unit at the back and we have a lot of clean sheets now.
“That starts from the strikers and we are working really hard together now. We know what we need to do that if we want to have clean sheets.
“What has changed? I don’t know, really. At the start of the season we actually defended quite well but the opposition would have three or four chances and score two goals. Maybe it was a little bit unlucky.
“But we’ve been working really hard to improve and the way we press the game now is a lot better than it was in the beginning of the season.
“Maybe it’s a bit fitness based and the confidence is getting better as well.
“The guys who have come in have done really well. Now guys are coming back as well and it’s up to the gaffer to choose.
“The main thing is we are working hard together and when we do that we know we can get a result.”
Lustig has been happy to do his bit within any set-up for Celtic and Sweden.
Although the Swedish defender admitted there are areas where he can improve, he also makes it clear that, so long as the team is getting the required results, he’s not concerned about individual assessments.
Lustig said: “You can always get better but I am all about the team. As long as we win I’m happy. These last six weeks it has been really good for me and both of my teams.”
Celtic head to Norway in high spirits having broken clear at the top of the Premiership for the first time this season at the weekend. Rodgers and his team established a two-point lead after taking care of Hamiton in Lanarkshire.
With the squad having little time to prepare going into the game as a result of a number of players being away on international duty, the victory was precious.
Lustig said: “It was a case of job done. It has been a tough week with the guys coming back from internationals. We came here to try and get the points. To score three goals and get a clean sheet means it was a good day.”
As well as getting the points in the bag, Celtic were also able to welcome key men back into the squad.
Olivier Ntcham returned to the middle of the park having been out for almost a month with a hamstring injury, while striker Leigh Griffiths came back from his own seven-week absence in typical fashion.
The hitman cracked home a stunning free-kick within eight minutes of replacing Odsonne Edouard to boost attacking options for the trip to Norway and Sunday’s Betfred Cup Final against Aberdeen at Hampden.
Lustig was delighted to see his team-mate return with trademark finish.
CRAIG SWAN
He said: “Leigh is all about scoring goals. He got one chance and he has a world class left-foot, so I am happy for him.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
“You get a free-kick anywhere near goal and we know we have a good chance to score.”