Celtic legend John Hartson has stressed that Mikael Lustig will always be regarded highly for his services to the Hoops, even if he decides to move back to Sweden in the summer.

Lustig, who joined Celtic from Rosenborg in the summer of 2012, has been a fixture at Celtic Park, helping the Bhoys to big domestic success.




Despite falling down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers, Lustig has enjoyed a new lease of life since the appointment of Neil Lennon in February.

The 32-year-old has started in five of the last six games for Celtic across all competitions and played a part in helping the defending champions secure a berth in the final of the Scottish Cup.
 


However, Lustig is out of contract in the summer and with no talk of a contract renewal yet, Swedish outfit AIK have been linked with a move for him at the end of the season.

As such, Hartson has stressed Lustig will always be regarded highly for his services to Celtic, whether or not he decides to leave Parkhead in the summer.  
 

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The Hoops legend also admitted Celtic must ideally look to replace Lustig with a younger and long-term option at right-back to help them cope with the demands of the future.

“To my mind, Celtic need bodies through the door this summer, and it is clear that at 32, Lustig is not the long-term solution in his position”, Hartson wrote in his column for the Evening Times.

“I would like to see a younger, first-choice right-back brought in, but I do wonder if Celtic may see the value in keeping Lustig around.

“He has huge experience, having seen and done it all at the club during his years of really good service, and it might not be the worst thing in the world to have him around the place for another season even as a back-up, if he was amenable to playing such a role.

“Lustig himself may decide of course that the time has come to head home, with AIK already confirming they are keen to land him in the summer, and if he does decide to leave then I’m sure he will go with the thanks of every Celtic supporter for what he has done for the club over the years.

“He’s had a great Celtic career no matter what happens.”

Lustig, who has notched up 40 appearances in all competitions this term, has won 14 domestic honours during his time with Celtic.