Celtic centre-back Erik Sviatchenko has been told that he is free to leave the club in the January window, and Celtic fans have taken to Twitter to express disbelief and sympathy at the move.
As reported by the Daily Record, the five-time Danish international confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had told him to find a new club in January.
He said: “The manager has told me to find a new club. There have been clubs from several leagues who have contacted my agent. These are attractive clubs, so I’m looking forward to my future with optimism.
The 26-year-old enforcer has been massively out of favour at Parkhead this term, making just two appearances so far, both coming in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
Sviatchenko has struggled with injury this campaign too which hasn’t helped his cause, and a January exit always looked likely.
That became especially true when the club secured a £1million deal for veteran German centre-back Marvin Compper, who arrives from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
With the Hoops also reportedly eyeing up a move for Dundee enforcer Jack Hendry, Sviatchenko’s future looks certain to lie away from Glasgow.
Bhoys fans have taken to Twitter to express their sadness at the move, with many believing that Sviatchenko offers more than other players being retained by the club.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
Erik sviatchenko first out the door at Celtic personally a think that’s a bad move letting him go no any worse than boyata
— barrymckenna (@barrycfc1967) January 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/CelticBhoy1888/status/947840655606407168
https://twitter.com/JustOkapi/status/947833141770752001
Actually gutted about Sviatchenko leaving. He's been very unlucky with injury but he always gave his all. And we're hardly in the position to be telling decent CBs to bolt. Boyata, Lustig and Jozo have been well off the boil of late.
— Katy ?? (@OhFFSKaty) January 1, 2018
Quite astonishing at Rodgers completely leaving out Sviatchenko and playing players like Armstrong, Boyata and Lustig who have been rotten this season. He starts them no matter how poorly they played but doesn’t give a chance to a decent player that always showed heart and desire
— Celtic OK (@CelticOK) January 1, 2018
Seems wrong. Happy enough to let Jozo and Dedryck continue to mess up on a weekly basis.
Only reason Ajer got the chance after so long was after Rodgers literally had no choice since we were so horrendous against Hearts.
— ?Brenk ª (@__brenk) January 1, 2018
Can we do a buy one get one free offer on our current central defensive bomb scare pairing and keep Sviatchenko instead?
— unwittinglymine (@unwittinglymine) January 1, 2018
Never understood the dislike for sviatchenko. Not any worse than Boyata.
— K (@pozzypozzbourne) January 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/joeygribbiani8/status/947822535122538497