Former Celtic defender Mikael Lustig played his part in some huge Champions League matches during his time in Glasgow’s east end, and now the retired Swede looks forward to watching on as a fan this season.
When he does, the 37-year-old is certain two of his ex-colleagues will play a big part in the current squad’s success in European football’s flagship competition – James Forrest and Callum McGregor.
Having signed for Celtic in 2012, Lustig saw the rise of both players under previous managers, and is well-aware of how important they are to Brendan Rodgers’ current first-team as veteran figures.
Speaking after Saturday’s Celtic vs Manchester United legends charity match at Old Trafford, as per the Daily Record, Lustig said: “If you take Jamesy [Forrest], I spoke with him a lot. He probably felt like his Celtic career might have been coming to an end.
“But it’s football, it is crazy. He wasn’t involved in the squads for a while and might have gone away. But suddenly you start playing again.
“The way he started this pre-season, he was just flying and I think it is really important to have those sort of players in the group who have been there a while, such as Jamesy and Callum [McGregor].
“You learn a lot from being in the Champions League and you need to be there a lot to learn a lot. So I think [Brendan Rodgers] is more experienced in it now and has a really good squad. The start of the season has been brilliant and, when I look at the teams they are going to play, I fancy a win in a lot of games.”
Lustig added: “They can be solid in the defence and can be really good on the ball as well. Of course, I know it is different to play in the Champions League compared to when playing in the Scottish matches.
“I’m not going to say that every game is easy because it is not, but it feels something extra special when you go to Europe, like this is a game where you need to win. So I hope the players will look at each other and know they are good.”
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