Exclusive: Mikael Lustig’s verdict on Gustaf Lagerbielke’s exit from Celtic Loan

Celtic centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke left the club on loan during the summer transfer window after a tumultuous first year in Glasgow.

Despite making a good start to his Hoops career, Lagerbielke fell out of favour and made just 10 appearances last season.

His recent loan move to FC Twente is best for all parties, according to the defender’s Swedish colleague Mikael Lustig.

The former Celtic hero feels the number of centre-backs in the squad has not helped Lagerbielke but admitted he could return and challenge for a place after his spell in the Netherlands.

“He’s off to a good start playing a lot of games,” Lustig told CeltsAreHere.com exclusively.

“But Celtic are a big club. We have a lot of centre-backs. CCV (Cameron Carter-Vickers) has been brilliant, as have a few other guys.

“It’s better for Gustaf and Celtic to loan him to Holland.”

Apart from a last-minute winner against Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League, Lagerbielke has not had much to celebrate in his first year in Glasgow.

The Swedish internationalist arrived from Elfsborg last summer with high hopes, but it never panned out.

Despite not picking him to play, manager Brendan Rodgers has never stopped praising the 24-year-old’s work ethic.

It remains to be seen whether he has a long-term future with the champions, but Lustig hopes Lagerbielke can return and challenge for a place after a successful loan spell, as Ryan Christie and Liam Scales have done previously.

“We’ve seen this before with a lot of players,” he said.

“We need more Swedes at Celtic, that’s for sure!”

Lagerbielke could make his debut for Twente when they face PEC Zwolle next weekend.

Lustig and Celtic will be watching closely as the centre-back attempts to rebuild.

Lagerbielke’s last 12 months have not gone according to plan, but his move to the Netherlands provides a fresh start.

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