CRUNCH TIME LOOMING FOR LUSTIG CELTS FATE
MIKAEL LUSTIG is set for crunch talks in the next fortnight to decide if he has a future at Celtic. The Swedish star is out of contract at the end of the season and no agreement has yet been reached over a new deal. Lustig is waiting to discover
if the club will exercise a 12-month option that would extend his sevenyear stay at Parkhead.
Swedish giants AIK Stockholm are willing to snap-up the defender on a free transfer if he is not wanted beyond this term by Celtic but the 31-year-old remains in discussions with Hoops chiefs.
Lustig insists he’d choose to stay in Glasgow if given the option.
He said: “It (one-year option) is in my contract and it’s up to Celtic, so we will see what happens in a couple of weeks. I have always said I love this club and I love Glasgow.
“I am 100 per cent sure I am going back to Sweden one day, so we’ll see when it is going to happen.
“I always want to play for Celtic but I am going to be quite happy anyway.”
AIK sporting director Bjorn Wesstrom admitted Lustig is of interest.
And the defender added: “I know my ability and, if Celtic don’t want me, I am quite sure I am going to find a place I am going to be happy.
“I’ve played a lot of games for my country and club. We’ve done amazing with the Swedish team as well. As long as I am playing that many games and the body still feels fine, touch wood, I hope I am still going to have a couple of more years.”
Meanwhile, boss Brendan Rodgers has again been linked with a move to Southampton as Mark Hughes comes under mounting pressure.
Hughes has delivered just one Premier League win all season and the club are ready to wield the axe.
Reports down south say the Celtic manager is on a shortlist that also includes former Ajax and Borussia Dortmund boss Peter Bosz.