CROCKED Swede Mikael Lustig revealed he faces a fight to be fit for Celtic’s meeting with Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at Parkhead on Sunday, as CQN reported yesterday.
The 32-year-old right-back was injured and came off in the first half during his nation’s 2-1 Euro 2020 qualification win over Romania at the weekend.
Lustig is highly unlikely to play against Hoops team-mate Kristoffer Ajer when Sweden take on Norway tomorrow night.
The defender, speaking in the Daily Record, said: “At first, I thought it was an ordinary thigh knock and that I could run it off.
“But then I started to feel it and looked down to see that it was swollen.
“I tried to play on, but the longer the game went, the more difficult it became to run. It hurts and I don’t know how long it can last.
“It is borderline for Tuesday, but it is clear that we will do everything to make me fit.”
Lustig hopes to be raring to go for the visit of the Govan outfit at the weekend when the champions have the opportunity to go THIRTEEN points ahead with only seven games to go.
The full-back played at Ibrox in the team’s embarrassing defeat before the turn of the year and will want to get the opportunity to reverse that result.
He added: “It’s a big game that I want to play in, but we will see.
“First of all, I have to get fit for Norway. That seems far away right now, but you never know.”
Lustig, who was originally brought to Glasgow by interim manager Neil Lennon nine years ago, is out of contract at the end of the season and his future could be decided within the next couple of weeks.
He confirmed AIK Stockholm want to take him back to his homeland on a free transfer, but admitted he will talk to Celtic chiefs first before any decision is made.
Lustig added: “Has there been contact from AIK? Absolutely. They know about my situation.
“We have not spoken about any contract, but they I don’t really know how the rules are. I will find out more this week.”
Jeremy Toljan, on loan from Borussia Dortmund, will also be in contention for the No.2 berth for the visit of Gerrard’s outfit who lost 1-0 to an Olivier Ntcham goal at the ground in September.
The French midfield ace, like Lustig, is battling to be fit after being sidelined since the Govan loss in late December.
