MIKAEL LUSTIG lined up in a new-look Celtic defence in the 3-0 win over Lincoln Red Imps in midweek.
The Swedish right-back had Erik Sviatchenko and Kieran Tierney for company in Brendan Rodgers’ back three formation.
Lustig and Co were rarely troubled by the semi-professionals from Gibraltar who were protecting a one-goal advantage after last week’s shocker.
But the international defender deflected praise for playing well and scoring the crucial opening goal.
Instead, he said: “I thought James Forrest and Patrick Roberts were brilliant.
“In the first few minutes, they took the ball straight away and helped us drive at our opponents.
“The way we started was excellent and the team formation was good, especially in the first-half.
W”We scored the first goal and then after that we played really well and created chances.
“Of course, we took it down a little in the second-half, but their keeper, Raul Navas, still had some unbelievable saves. Yeah, it was okay.”
Boss Rodgers reckoned the shotstopper stood between his team and the loss of double figures.
However, Navas, who is a full-time professional, had no chance when Lustig opened the scoring in the 23rd minute to level the tie on aggregate.
The popular Hoops star said: “It was a good hit with my left foot after the players got the ball to me following the free-kick. I took a touch and then slammed it.”
Now the Swede is preparing for the gruelling six-hour trip to Kazakhstan to take on the dangerous Astana in the third Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.
Lustig added: “We know this will be a difficult game. We played there not so long ago and lost 2-0 to Shakhtar Karagandy.
“So, we realise it will a difficult pitch and we will need to play as we did in the first half-hour against Red Imps.”
