The Swedish international faces a harsh reality
The tag of “fans’ favourite” can be a somewhat tiresome one. Often it is applied to a player who is not rated by his manager but who he drops at his peril.That doesn't apply to Mikael Lustig.
Most fans hold him in high regard and, signed by Neil Lennon in 2011, the subsequent managers Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers usually made Mikael first pick for the right-back position, when fit.
But that has been the problem with Mikael – injuries have often curtailed his appearances.
Injuries can occur for various reasons – bad conditioning, bad training, bad tackles or bad luck.
And sometimes, it can be due to bad genes – as Kevin Thomson has been known to say when comparing his injury record to the astonishingly-resilient Scott Brown.
Lustig’s case seems to be more of ill-fortune than anything else. While he has played more games than ever over the past two seasons, the signs are that wear-and-tear has taken its toll on the player and his performances in the biggest games have suffered.
The match with Aberdeen was a case in point. A bad touch saw him lunging to recover the ball and earning a red card for clattering Gary Mackay-Steven.
Mikael didn’t really complain and neither did the fans, which tells its own story, given that Bobby Madden was the referee.
It’s sad to watch a dedicated player who loves playing for Celtic failing to meet the standards that we know he would reach if he were only in the best of physical condition.
He certainly has the quality and 63 caps for Sweden attest to that fact. But the European games in particular, when the defence has been placed under extreme pressure, have made uncomfortable viewing.
Of course, playing with the effects of injury can have a variety of effects far beyond speed, agility, reactions and the motions required to play football.
It can also be as mentally draining as it is physically and undermine the player’s confidence. That can lead to uncertainty or different decisions being made and hesitancy to commit or seek the ball.
Very often that makes a good player look bad because his game is being defined, at least to an extent, by his limitations, whereas his success has been built on his strengths.
This seems to be the case with Mikael. The spirit is willing, as the book says, but the flesh has other ideas.
His cause has not been helped by a paucity of options at right-back. Anthony Ralston was made unavailable through injury, when he looked ready to challenge for the first-team spot.
Anthony’s availability would have helped Mikael immeasurably as he would both have spared Mikael the burden of having to be ready for every minute of every game while also necessitating top levels of performance.
Of course, the other gap at right-back is Christian Gamboa, who doesn’t even have the excuse of being crocked. Gamboa reminds me of an old Evel Knievel toy – pull the chord and he’ll go incredibly fast in a straight line but that’s not the same as having a clue about where he’s going.
So, the fates have conspired against Mikael in more ways than one.
But it appears that his days at Celtic are coming to an end and this season may just be his last hurrah.
He still has what it takes against the Scottish Premiership sides but, for European competition, it seems clear that he will not do for next season.
Mikael has had great times at Celtic. He has won a haul of medals and has that rare quality of putting smiles on the fans’ faces.
His Rabona in the build-up to that momentous goal against St Johnstone will be talked about for as long as Patsy Gallacher somersaulting into the net with the ball between his feet.
And the image of Mikael running around with a deflated beach ball on his head, taunting joey Barton who thought he was going to teach Scottish football a thing or two will never fail to raise a smile.
Celtic always have something to play for and the possibility of back-to-back trebles is a target that should excite everyone of a Celtic mind.
It would also be fitting to see Mikael at Hampden on 19th May, clutching another winner’s medal, celebrating as only he can and heading off to the World Cup in Russia and then for new adventures.
Mikael has been a credit to Celtic, himself and his country in the way he has conducted himself and he has played football as it should be played – with professionalism, passion and joy.
If these are to be his last three months at Celtic, let’s hope that we all enjoy them and remember him as he deserves.
One of the good guys!
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3 comments:
I wish we would just get off his back, he's been here 8 years and gave it all. We should just wait and see if he can come out the other end of this bad form if it keeps going BR will drop him he doesn't need fans slating him aswell.
Yes, Dale. There are players who deserve a bit of a bashing and those who deserve a bit of appreciation.
Mikael is in the latter category, in my opinion.
Well said guys HH
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