Sweden produced a defensive masterclass in the San Siro last night to book a place in the World Cup Finals at the expense of Italy.
There were few scary moments for the visitors to defend with their well drilled defensive unit keeping chances to a premium.
It wasn’t the great Italian side ever but any team that takes a single goal lead to Milan and emerges victorious deserves plenty of credit.
Lustig’s antics captured much of the post match headlines but as well as having an obvious wild streak the Celtic full-back is more than capable of putting in a very disciplined performance and was barely seen as an attacking force.
In the build up to the finals in Russia Lustig will be hoping, like all Celtic fans, to enjoy an extended run in the Europa League which should be booked barring a disaster at home to Anderlecht next month.
It seems fairly certain that Brendan Rodgers will be looking to strengthen his defensive options in January with the Swedish international defence seeming like a good place to cast an eye over.
Adding some Swedish defensive steel to Celtic’s attacking flair could produce a dynamic mix, click the panel below to see which of Mikey’s mates could be heading to the hoops in January.
ROBIN OLSEN
Played in all 12 qualifying matches, conceding just nine goals in matches against France, Holland and Italy.
The 27 year old was outstanding in the San Siro, his positioning was exceptional and when called upon showed great reflexes.
He has been the first choice keeper for FC Copenhagen for the last three seasons and is under contract until the summer of 2020.
At 34 years of age Craig Gordon won’t go on for ever, Olsen seems at the perfect age with Celtic giving him a much bigger platform than playing in the Danish League
VICTOR LINDELOF
We can forget all about signing the £30m Manchester United defender!
The 23 year old has managed just 67 minutes of EPL action since moving to Old Trafford and is bound to getting worried about how much action he’ll see in the lead up to the World Cup Finals.
Lindelof could be going out on loan in January but it’s likely to be to another EPL side. He played 11 of the qualifying matches and only picked up one yellow card.
ANDREAS GRANQVIST
The skipper was at his best in the San Siro, showing the defensive and leadership qualities that his nation required.
He had a spell early in his career at Wigan and is now in his fifth season with Krasnodar, the club that Celtic signed Eboue Kouassi from.
With his contract up at the end of the season he could be picked up for a token fee, playing alongside Mikael Lustig in the run up to Russia could hold plenty of appeal. He’ll be 33 in April and played in all 12 qualifying matches picking up just one yellow card.
LUDWIG AUGUSTINSSON
With Kieran Tierney in with the bricks there won’t be any Celtic interest in the Werder Bremen left-back.
After three seasons with Copenhagen he moved to the Bundesliga in the summer and has quickly settled, playing in 10 qualifying matches without picking up a yellow card.
At 23 year of age he has got his best years ahead of him, Werder won’t be expecting him to see out his contract which runs until 2021.