Erik hopes success is tailor-made
HE faces another fight for a Celtic jersey this season, but when it comes to jackets, Erik Sviatchenko is all sorted.
The Danish internationalist, squeezed for starts last season due to the burgeoning partnership between Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata, teamed up with his father Sergei to design a Lisbon Lions themed jacket.
Retailing at a price of just under £400 they are not cheap but as he explains they are a limited edition – only 67 have been made – and they come with the approval of one of the heroes of the Hoops European Cup win.
“John Clark helped us with the photoshoot and he was a great model for us,” he said.
“And his way of summing it up was that when you put it in on, you are actually wrapping history around your back.
“That’s because the lining contains pictures of John and other Lions in a unique collage designed by my father.
“The outer jacket itself is Harris Tweed and together they make up a really nice item of clothing, a real collectors piece.
“It has been an ongoing project for maybe a year so it was nice to see it finally finished.
“There will be more such collaborations to come and fashion is something I may go into the future.”
For the moment though, Sviatchenko insists, there is still plenty to come from him on the pitch.
“I’m proud that last season I made a key contribution to our Invincibles season, being involved in some 40 games, but maybe I needed to be even better at some things,” he said.
“I have spoken with the manager about the areas of my game I need to improve on and that is what I am trying to do now working on ball possession which is getting better.
“It’s true there is a lot of competition here with Jozo, Dedryck and Kris Afer, but I am in a good place. I am comfortable where I am but that doesn’t mean that I am laying back and thinking I am great.
“I am working hard to improve and there is much to look forward to.”