Lustig patient over contract talks

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig has said that he will be waiting for Celtic to initiate talks with regards to his contract renewal.

Lustig will be out of contract next summer (2017), but when speaking to The Scotsman, the 29-year-old said that he will be waiting for Celtic to come to him rather than the other way round.

The right-back reassured fans that he would not be distracted by speculation regarding his contract, and that he is fully focussed on performing for the remainder of his deal at Paradise.

Last time I signed a new contract it was Celtic who came to me so at the moment I’m just sitting quietly in my boat.

I’m just focusing on playing for Celtic over the next year and we’ll see what happens.

Ronny Deila, however, has said that Lustig’s age is a factor that must be considered when they approach him with a new contract.

As it stands, his contract is set to expire when he will be 30-years-old and his recent plight with injuries could be a deciding factor in any discussions over his future.

When players get older it’s not too positive to give them longer contracts because you never know, there’s more possibilities for injuries and other problems. So, we know the situation and we’ll see.

Lustig has spent the last four years at the club since his move from Rosenborg and has made appearances 129 to date, scoring 10 goals in the green and white Hoops.

Celtic currently sit top of the league table and are four points clear of second-placed Aberdeen with a game in hand on Tuesday night against Dundee.