Lustig aims to starve the hunger of Norway’s Lions
MIKAEL LUSTIG believes Celtic have to be very wary of opponents hungry to emulate their own version of the Lisbon Lions.
The Hoops face the defender’s former club, Rosenborg, in the Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday.
Looking back to previous success often inspires a team – but history can also act as a burden.
Rosenborg became famous for a remarkable run where they qualified for the group stage of Europe’s top competition 11 times between 1995 and 2007.
That success helped the Norwegians become a significantly wealthy club, and dominate their domestic game.
However, times change and Rosenborg have gone through some turbulent periods in recent years.
They won the league just four times in 10 seasons, but appear to be on the way back and are going for a third consecutive title.
Lustig failed to make the Champions League group stage during his three-and-a-half seasons with the club.
He recalled: “We tried hard to qualify twice, and we were really close once, but didn’t make it.
“The current Rosenborg side are really hungry to get through the Champions League qualifiers, and hopefully we can stop them.
“It’s a different kind of game these days compared to when they always made it.
“There’s a lot more money involved throughout Norwegian football.
“Back then, they were a little bit like Celtic in 1967. They had 11 local players in the starting line-up.
“Now it’s maybe a maximum of three or four and the rest are foreigners.
“It’s getting harder to compete now, and the smaller nations are also getting richer.
“They had a really good team and that made it hard to be a Rosenborg player who followed that generation.
“People always talked about the history and thought it was better before.
“Of course, you want to play with a club with a strong history, one that has a good fan base and plays in the Champions League.
“The fact the fans still expect it makes it a little bit harder for the players.
“They’re still the biggest club in Norway, and they still have to win the league or it’s a big disappointment
“But they haven’t even been in the Europa League the last two seasons, and that makes the Champions League a massive thing for them.”
Rosenborg are halfway through their league season, but Lustig doesn’t believe that gives them an advantage over Celtic, who don’t kick off the defence of their Premiership title until August 5 against Hearts.
The Swede went on: “We have more quality in this team and more money to spend, so it’s easier for a club like Celtic to reach the group stages.
“I think Rosenborg will know it’s a tough draw, and it’ll be a brilliant atmosphere.
“They’re playing against a tough team who have energy and confidence, so hopefully they’re going to struggle.”