Rodgers Confirms Unfortunate Pre-Season Celtic Injury

Celtic played out a 1-1 draw with Ayr United on Friday night as they kicked off their pre-season.

The Game was a chance for fringe and youth players to show what they could do with a portion of the first team squad still to report for pre-season training.

However, one notable absentee who had rejoined the club for training was forgotten bhoy Gustaf Lagerbielke. The Swedish defender signed last summer and got a small run of Games due to injuries but then vanished off the face of the earth. He briefly popped back up to score a Champions League winner in the Celtic Park tie against Feyenoord but quickly was taken out of the squad again.

With so many players getting Game time on Friday, many expected Gustaf to be in the squad, however he was nowhere to be seen.

Many speculated on Friday evening that it could be down to the player working on a move away from the club.

However Brendan Rodgers explained post-match [Scottish Sun]: “Gus had a twist on his ankle and knee in training so he’s probably going to be a week out.”

Gustaf can’t catch a break. The Swede would have likely got Game time if he was fit and now will have to wait until the US tour to hopefully get minutes.

Even though his current absence from the team is through injury, the writing does seem on the wall for the centre back. There’s little to no chance that Gustaf comes back into the fold under Rodgers. A move away this summer is still likely. Gustaf would have got a loan move to Serie A in January had Celtic not suffered injuries before the window closed.

The smart money says he will leave the club this summer. Celtic are in the market for another centre-back and if they get their wish, the Swede would be further down the pecking order.