Lustig insists he wants to stay at Celtic amid talk of Swedish move

MIKAEL LUSTIG is poised to hold crunch talks over his Celtic future next month. The 31-year-old defender is out of contract in the summer and AIK Stockholm sports director Bjorn Wesstrom has refused to rule out a move to take him back to Sweden. The Scottish champions are also scouring the market for a new right-back after missing out on Italian Cristiano Piccini when he joined Valencia in the summer. Free to talk to other clubs in January, Lustig admits he has no idea if Celtic want him to stay. Poised for discussions next month, however, the Swedish international claims he would like to extend his seven-year stay in Glasgow. ‘We will see,’ said Lustig after Saturday’s 3-0 Premiership win over Hamilton. ‘Celtic have an option to take up. ‘It’s in my contract and it’s up to Celtic, so we will see what happens in a couple of weeks. ‘We’ve done it before but they

are always trying to improve the team. That’s normal. ‘I don’t know what will happen, but I’m all about the team. As long as Celtic do well, I’m happy. ‘But, of course, I am here to fight for my position and, of course, I want to be here.’ Lustig’s wife hails from Stockholm and AIK chief Wesstrom believes the full-back could emulate international Sebastian Larsson by returning to the Allsvenskan before hanging up his boots. ‘Lustig is one of those players who may want some good years in Sweden before he finishes,’ said Wesstrom. ‘He resembles Sebastian in that way. Lustig is the right age but I want to emphasise he has an agreement with Celtic. ‘To contact him now, we would need Celtic’s blessing and we have not asked for that. We have not had formal contact with him. ‘At the same time, of course, he’s an interesting player who would add a lot.’ Lustig has a home in Stockholm and intends to retire to the Swedish capital. Non-committal on when that is likely to be until he speaks to Celtic, however, he added: ‘I don’t know. I’ve always said I love this club and I love Glasgow but I’m 100-per-cent sure I am going to move back to Sweden one day. We will see when that happens. ‘There is more history to be made here, of course, but I am 32 in a couple of weeks. ‘I always want to play for Celtic, but I know my ability and if they don’t want me then I’m sure I’ll find a place where I’m going to be happy. ‘My body feels really good. I’ve played a lot of games with my club and I felt amazing with the Swedish international team, as well. ‘As long as I am able to play that many games and the body still feels fine then, touch wood, I have a few years left at the top level yet.’