Writing in his column for The Daily Record, former Celtic striker and BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton has called on the club to sign competition for Mikael Lustig after the player’s 2017/18 season.
What’s the story?
Although the Hoops marched to another domestic treble of trophies last season, for the second successive time, there is always room for improvement when fan expectation is so high with regards to what Brendan Rodgers’ side can achieve next.
One are of the pitch they could do with improvement in is right-back, after Mikael Lustig’s middling season as first choice in the position.
The Swedish international was one of the few weak players in Celtic’s regular starting eleven throughout 2017/18 and now Chris Sutton has called on him to improve, else risk losing his spot to a potential new signing.
Writing in The Daily Record, Sutton stated:
At one end of the scale, you have Mikael Lustig. He’s been a brilliant servant to the club, but there are signs he is creaking. He made far too many mistakes and lost his consistency. That’s not good for a right back and, with a new one surely going to be signed, the Swede needs to up his game.
Can the Hoops get a deal for a new right-sided defender done when the transfer window opens, and how important is a signing in the position?
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Is Lustig’s time up at Celtic?
Signing for the club six-and-a-half years a go, Lustig has given his prime years to the football club and until recently was undoubtedly the best right-back in the division, also performing consistently for the club in European competition.
There are definitely question marks to his games these days and although he remains a popular figure with supporters, if Celtic are to progress next season he at least needs serious competition for a spot in Rodgers’ starting eleven, if not outright replaced.
Cristian Gamboa has been a missing man for most of the last year and Anthony Ralston has spent time out on loan in the Scottish Championship.
The Hoops need a new strong contender to play on the right flank and this is the transfer window to invest in one.
