MIKAEL LUSTIG wants to emulate fellow-Swede Henrik Larsson and pile the misery on new Rangers in the League Cup semi-final a week tomorrow.
Lustig, who made a two-goal comeback against Motherwell in midweek, is determined to enjoy his afternoon at Hampden – at the expense of the Ibrox side.
The right-back said: “When I was younger, I watched Scottish league games on television, especially the Old Firm (sic) games because of Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby.
“So, I’ve seen them and, of course, it’s a good time to be a hero.
“I’ve been here three years now and not played in one.
“But I always knew I wanted to be at Celtic for a long time, so I knew I would play them at some point.
“I am ready for it!
“I’ve been to a couple of the games. I sat in the stands at Ibrox and at Celtic Park. I was injured for the home game and I was in the squad at Ibrox, but didn’t make the bench.
“The occasion was still unlike anything I had experienced. The atmosphere was brilliant. We’ve not had it for a while.”
Lustig insists everyone at the club is aware of the significance and importance of the upcoming League Cup and Europa League ties against historic foes Rangers and Inter Milan.
But he believes the new boys such as Virgil van Dijk, Jason Denayer and Stefan Johansen won’t truly understand the occasion until they walk onto the Hampden pitch.
He added: “I know how important these games are for the fans.
“But it’s hard to tell someone about these kind of games if they have not experienced it yet.
“I always remember hearing that the Champions League nights at Celtic Park were unbelievable.
“But then when you actually experience it, I remember being like ‘Woah!’.
“I think you need to experience it for yourself.”
