Gus Lagerbielke has been speaking in Sweden about his initial Celtic experiences.
When Carl Starfelt’s agent was negotiating the deal to take the defender to Celta Vigo he picked up a double commission by suggesting that Celtic look to Elfsborg for a successor.
Within the space of a month Lagerbielke experienced the joy of victory in the Glasgow Derby and the despair of being sent off on his Champions League debut.
That crash course will stand him in good stead even though he wasn’t in the 20 man squad for Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock.
Covering a Q and A, Fotbollskanalen reports:
QUESTION: Why has he been out of the squad for two straight games?
GL: I do not know. There have been many matches that I have had to play a lot. I think it’s about rotation and that we are a lot of centre-backs competing and that he wants to see everyone. I’ve had to play a lot and feel that it’s gone well, and that’s the most important thing.
QUESTION: Is it a tough pass by your manager Brendan Rodgers that you are not in the squad?
GL Yes, you might think so, but I am very happy with my first time at Celtic and I think it has gone very well. So it’s not something I’ve thought about or worried about.
Clearly Lagerbielke was suspended against Lazio but his absence from the squad at home to Kilmarnock will have caused the defender some concern.
Cameron Carter-Vickers return from injury is a big boost to the squad, from the moment that he arrived on loan from Spurs two years ago he has been a fixture in the Starting XI.
Any doubts about that have been dispelled by the results and performances since he underwent surgery following last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final appearance at Hampden.
There are certainly rough edges to Lagerbielke’s game but with a win at Ibrox early on in his Celtic career he has as good an opportunity as any other recent defensive signing, in January Nat Phillips will return to Liverpool.