Celtic defender Gustaf Lagebielke has admitted that his future may be away from the Scottish Champions after a disappointing first season at the club. The Swedish Internationalist has claimed that he can play in the best leagues in Europe, despite falling down the pecking order of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking to Aftonbladet, Lagerbielke insisted that his focus is currently on impressing Rodgers with a view to getting himself in the team ahead of the final stretch of the season.
“So right now the focus is on training as well as possible and continuing to show that I’m going to play.
“We can still win the double, as we are fighting with Rangers for the league title and are still in the cup as well.
“So there are two titles to play for. I want to play and will do everything in my power to help the team.
“At the same time, I know that I can play in the best leagues, so it’s a situation we will look at after the season.”
Lagerbielke was signed for £3m from Elfsborg in Sweden and made appearances at the beginning of the season, including in the win over Rangers at Ibrox. However, a double yellow against Feyenoord in the Champions League appeared to be the beginning of his decline at the club. The player has made just nine appearances, including that substitute appearance in which he netted a late winner against Feyenoord in the Champions League.
You would expect the player to want to push for an exit and Celtic to try recoup all of the fee that they paid for the central defender. However, it is a bit of a damning indictment that the player has found himself so far down the pecking order at the club.