LUSTIG’S ‘EXTRA-SPECIAL’ TITLE WIN

MIKAEL LUSTIG reckons winning his eighth successive league medal is extra special.

The 32-year-old Swedish international defender has been in at the start of the silverware landslide after being signed from Rosenborg in Neil Lennon’s first stint as Celtic boss.

Lustig got the ball rolling against Aberdeen at Pittodrie at the weekend when he took off in spectacular style to head in Callum McGregor’s astute angled cross from the left to hand the Hoops the advantage just before the interval.

Jozo Simunovic, with a towering header, and Odsonne Edouard, with a clever clipped effort that flummoxed keeper Joe Lewis, made certain of the latest triumph in the second-half.

Lennon has revealed he believes the right-back, who is out of contract next month, still has a future at Parkhead, as revealed by CQN earlier this week.

Lustig, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “I’ll probably celebrate this title more now. The first title was really special, but I think this one is even more special.

“It feels brilliant. I remember I made my Celtic debut at Pittodrie a few years ago, so this was a special moment.

“We started quite well, but then we let them in and, to be fair to Aberdeen, they had three or four really good chances, so the goal came at the perfect time. It was a great cross and a good header, as well!

“It gets to near the end of the season and we’ve almost got our hands on the trophy, but we knew we needed to get over the line. Everyone has worked really hard defensively and now we’re scoring goals, as well, so it’s nice.

“It was all about our fans at Pittodrie and they gave everything for the full game, so, hopefully. they’re really happy too.”

As the dependable back-four operator comes to the end of his current deal, Swedish outfits Malmo and AIK Stockholm are monitoring his situation.

There is unlikely to be an announcement about his future until after the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts at Hampden on May 25.