Lustig: We played like fourth-raters

MIKAEL LUSTIG admits he performed “like a Fourth Division player” in Celtic’s pre-season friendly with Rapid Vienna in Austria on Saturday.

The Scottish champions were disappointing in the first half of their game in Amstetten and fell behind just before half-time when Joelinton won and then converted a penalty.

Brendan Rodgers changed all 11 of his players after an hour at the Ertl Glas Stadium and the Hoops finished the run-out strongly.

Moussa Dembele, playing for Celtic for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers in April, levelled from the spot in the 73rd minute and the game finished 1-1.

Lustig is confident that he and his team-mates will be in peak condition for their Champions League qualifier against either La Fiorita of San Marino or Linfield of Northern Ireland next week.

“It was a tough day,” said Lustig. “It was really warm out there, but there was some sloppy play. It was good for our fitness with a lot of running, but unfortunately a lot of it was in the wrong direction.

“You go from playing well, then have three weeks out and you come back like a Fourth Division player.

“It takes three weeks to get back. Some of us have been in for a few weeks now, others just one week, so it’s going to take time.”

Lustig was pleased to see Dembele back in action for Celtic and was delighted the 20-year-old scored on his return.

The Swedish internationalist is hopeful his clubcanholdontothehighlyregarded striker.

“Obviously, there will be a lot of talk,” said Lustig. “Last season he was great so it is good to see him back.

“We want to keep all of the players, keep the squad intact and maybe add some players as well. But it’s football. If the right money comes in then we know the club have to think about it.”