No, says Graeme McGarry
It is more than understandable why Celtic and Neil Lennon would be looking to keep Mikael Lustig at the club. He has been a fantastic player for Celtic over the years, and has the medals to prove it.
Over and above his ability, he is also a leader and a vastly experienced player to have around the dressing room, and as they close in on 10-in-a-row, he is the type of character who could prove valuable.
In saying all of that though, the decisions that Lennon makes in the summer should not be based on sentiment, and while Lustig saw off the challenge of the hugely disappointing Jeremy Toljan as the season drew to a close, right-back is an area for me that Celtic definitely need to freshen.
There were times last season where Lustig was exploited, particularly against better opposition, and defensively he could be targeted as a weak link. John McGinn admitted that Hibs used to target him, and his dwindling pace means that other sides will too.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and while Celtic and Lustig will always have the fondest of memories of one another, the time has come for a parting of the ways.
Yes, says Matthew Lindsay
THOSE Celtic fans who have criticised Mikael Lustig in the past season and called for him to be replaced by a new signing at right back should be careful what they wish for.
The Swede may be 32 now and nearing the end of his professional playing career. But the Parkhead club will be doing very well indeed to find a better replacement this summer.
It will cost a considerable sum of money to bring in a player who performs with the same physicality, energy and intelligence in the 2019/20 campaign.
The treble treble winners will struggle to unearth a defender who understands what the Glasgow club is all about and embraces the demands of playing for them so well.
Lustig hardly had a break last summer. After representing his country in the Russia 2018 finals he was quickly into Champions League qualifiers with his club. At his age, it has been a lot to ask.
But I would imagine the man who has, along with Scott Brown and James Forrest, been involved in every one of Celtic’s eight consecutive Scottish title triumphs, will be a man transformed next term.
Neil Lennon, who brought in the Scandinavian from Norwegian club Rosenborg on a free transfer back in 2012 is a big admirer of the Celtic vice-captain and it is not hard to understand why.
Keeping Lustig could be the difference between the East End club completing Nine-In-A-Row and Rangers ending their dominance of the Scottish game.
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