MIKAEL LUSTIG has admitted he played on during Sweden’s 3-2 UEFA Nations League defeat to Turkey, despite being injured.
The Celtic right-back eventually came off as he struggled to continue during Monday night’s loss in Stockholm.
Lustig became aware of problems at half-time, but was determined to carry on until he was forced to come off in the 79th minute.
The Swedes led 2-1 until the 88th minute, but were shocked by Emre Akbaba’s double strike in the fading moments.
The Hoops defender accepted he would have to be replaced at some stage. He said: “I already knew it at half time. It started to cramp and I knew already that it would only take a while.”
Lustig, 31, was asked if it was foolish to remain on the pitch, especially with the champions facing a Friday night game against St Mirren in Paisley.
He answered: “Well, we’ll see. Hopefully, I wake up tomorrow and everything is fine. Hard to say now. Had it been a training match I would not have played.
“But I trained two days before and it felt so good.”
Brendan Rodgers has Costa Rican international Cristian Gamboa, who starred in the 3-1 Betfred League Cup win over Partick Thistle last month, waiting to step in.
