MIKAEL LUSTIG has told the Swedish media he expects to extend his stay at Celtic.
The international right-back, who is out of contract in the summer, has become a trusted campaigner under Brendan Rodgers and has been skipper of the team in recent games while Scott Brown has been sidelined through injury.
There have been reports of the Hoops boss looking for a replacement for the back-four operator who will celebrate his 32nd birthday next month.
Cristian Gamboa took over the No.2 slot for the Betfred League Cup-tie against Partick Thistle at Firhill at the start of the season and played well in a 3-1 triumph. The Costa Rican ace, who cost £1.2million when Rodgers bought him from West Brom in August 2016, kept his place for the 1-1 draw against FK Sudova the following midweek.
And the attack-minded defender also got the nod to face RB Leipzig in the Europa League Group B encounter in Germany last month. He limped off at the interval to be replaced by Lustig as the Parkhead men toppled to a 2-0 defeat.
The vastly-experienced Swede has been in ever since, despite continued speculation over his future.
He said: “You can wonder as much as you want, but I have a contract with Celtic and I think I’ll play there next year, too.”
Lustig, who was signed from Rosenborg in 2012, made his 250th appearance for the champions in the the 3-0 Betfred League Cup semi-final win over Hearts at Murrayfield last month.
He has won 13 trophies in six seasons, including back-to-back trebles.
