Neil Lennon has confirmed that he has held contract talks with Mikael Lustig.
The defender is out of contract with Celtic not taking up the option to extend his deal by 12 months on his current terms.
Lennon signed Lustig from Rosenborg on a free transfer in 2012 and doesn’t want to lose the Swedish internationalist in the same way.
Speaking to The Sun he revealed:
I have spoken to him, but not to his representatives. I had good feedback from Mika. I would like him to stay. I think he still has a year or two in him. He has been a fantastic player for the club. He has been pivotal on and off the field.
With Jeremy Toljan returning to Borussia Dortmund and Cristian Gamboa a free agents Tony Ralston is the only right-back committed to Celtic for next season.
Pre-season training starts in just over a fortnight with Lennon and Peter Lawwell both targeting a place in the group stage of the Champions League.
That will require Celtic to get through eight consecutive midweek fixtures with what could be a new look defence.
Kris Ajer and Jozo Simunovic are the only central defenders with recent first team experience with both Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic moving on.