Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans at the end of the UEFA Champions League, Group E match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Wednesday December 13, 2023.
The defender netted the winner against Feyenoord – but didn’t even make the bench against Hearts.
Brendan Rodgers is playing his cards close to his chest over the future of Gustaf Lagerbielke amid speculation he faces a quick-fire Celtic exit.
The £3million summer signing from Elfsborg was the hero in the Champions League win over Feyenoord as he nodded in a late winner at Celtic Park – but didn’t make the matchday squad for the clash with Hearts just days later with Cameron Carter-Vickers returning to the squad. It means the 23-year-old hasn’t played for the Scottish Premiership leaders since their 2-1 win over Motherwell back on September 30.
And reports have suggested time could already be up for the Swede with Rodgers planning a January clear out to cut the size of his squad and are now willing to “listen to offers” for the centre-back with the window window rapidly approaching. But Rodgers refused to be drawn on a potential exit strategy when asked by BBC Sportsound if the likes of Lagerbielke or Maik Nawrocki could leave in January if they are “not what the club is looking for” after being dropped from the squad.
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Rodgers said: “Well, we shall see. Gus came in and scored the winning goal during the week, so yeah I think what will take place in January will sort itself out.
“I think in the meantime the players are working very hard. I think you see with the introduction of Stephen Welsh and Gustaf that they come in and help the team and they can’t do that if the spirit and their focus isn’t right. That is a very pleasing aspect of the game the other night, even guys like Mikey Johnston. A lot of they guys haven’t featured early on but to win a Champions League game with all these factors I tip my hat to the players.”
