There has been a dip in Mikael Lustig’s overall performance in the past 18 months. As the defender moves towards the back end of his top-flight career, it’s only natural he won’t be able to play with the same intensity week in, week out.
However, some fans, before the last six weeks were treating him like a leper not to be touched. Celtic fans have been crying out for a right back to come in and take over from the Swede for quite some time but if the last two months has proven anything – that’s no easy task.
We’re in a situation where Celtic are going into a game with Dundee at the weekend with a lot of Celtic fans hoping Mikael comes back in after a Jeremy Toljan failing to impress.
There are certainly more people now than there was back in January who will want Mikael in the team when the Ibrox club come to visit at the end of March.
Toljan is not a bad player and he has shown some promise, however, his lack of game time up until January could be catching up with him.
While the debate rages on, Lustig has again been called up to the Swedish national squad with people in his home country still aware of the passion and skill he can bring to the table.
Right now, my gut feeling is Lustig should start the next two Celtic games and if he plays to a good standard then he should keep his place the rest of the season. Beyond that, Celtic are yet to tell the defender if he has a future at the club.
