Erik Sviatchenko will watch Sunday’s Ibrox clash from Denmark rather than the heart of the Celtic defence.
During Brendan Rodgers’ first six months as manager the Dane was a first pick in defence with high expectations over his partnership with Jozo Simunovic.
His demise during 2017 was one of the side shows to Celtic’s success but an interview in the Evening Times perhaps gives an insight into his fall from favour.
Whether they like it or not Celtic players are judged by how they fare against clubs from Ibrox almost as much as their performances in Europe.
Soaking up the hostility and hatred that pours from three sides of Ibrox is part of being a Celtic player, thriving off that and responding to it is what made Alan Thompson, Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson, John Hartson and Neil Lennon the heroes that they are with the Celtic support.
In December 2016 Sviatchenko had a very nervy game at Ibrox as Celtic won 2-1, in March at Celtic Park it wasn’t much better with Dedryck Boyata joining Simuovic for the remaining two matches against the tribute act.
Speaking to the Evening Times the Danish defender said: “The one thing I would say about going to Ibrox is that it is hostile.
“It is intense. I always felt that at Celtic Park that the games felt cheerful and positive but when you play as a Celtic player at Ibrox I do think you can feel the hostility.
“I think for a player like Kristoffer [Ajer] who hasn’t experienced that before it is very important that you focus only on what you can do and effect – and that is all on the pitch. You cannot change the fans.
“You have to try to keep communicating, although that can be hard if it is very noisy, and focus as hard as you can on what your game is. I always felt that the circumstances around this game make it different but the game itself is the same and that is what you have to focus on.”
Picking his defence for Sunday will be one of Rodgers’ toughest tasks as he combats Mikael Lustig’s suspension.