Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said that he would “love” defender Mikael Lustig to stay at the club this summer.
The 32-year-old moved to Parkhead in 2012 and has been involved in all of Celtic’s previous eight Premiership titles, as well as the recent completion of the treble treble against Hearts.
The 74-time Sweden international is out of contract at the end of June, however, and has been linked with a move to Malmo this summer.
Speaking to the Scottish Daily Mail [page 78 – Scottish Cup final], Lennon added that the right-back has been a “brilliant player” for the Hoops.
“I hope not,” Lennon said when asked if Lustig could leave. “It could be, he was very emotional at the end.But I’d love him to stay. He’s done the full eight with three trebles as well.
“He couldn’t have done any more. He’s a brilliant player.”
OPINION
There’s no doubt that some fans would want to see the back of Mikael Lustig as he has not been a fan favourite at Parkhead in the past 12 months or so. But regardless of your opinions on him as a player, you have to credit him for the servant he has been to Celtic over the years. To stick around at the club and be involved in the treble treble throughout Celtic’s pursuit of the nine trophies is a massive achievement and one that cannot be underestimated. If he does end up leaving this summer, you have to tip your hat to him because he has been such a key part of Celtic’s most recent dominance of Scottish football and his value to the club must always be remembered. But there again, there is the chance Lustig could now move back to his home country. The report linking him with Malmo says that the club could offer him a “bumper deal”, which could be one he might find hard to turn down, especially if it goes hand in hand with his aim to seek a new challenge outside of Scotland.