Sviatchenko opens up on culture shift in dressing room

Erik Svaitchenko has spoken about the change in dynamics in the dressing room this season under Brendan Rodgers.

The Danish international signed at the beginning of the year and had a nightmare debut in the League Cup semi-final last year, however that is now all behind the 25-year-old who was a fan favourite from day one.

Having disposed of the newly promoted Rangers in the last round, Sviatchenko will be hoping to earn his second and Celtic’s 100th major honour later today.

As quoted by the Scotsman, Sviatchenko said:

It’s like night and day now between then and our current situation. I can’t even remember what happened back then because since then there have been so many great things.

One thing is how we play but also socially people are really helping each other off the pitch; they are getting close to one another and that is a really important thing the manager did when he came in.

He combined everything, brought everyone together and people now want to do the best for each other.

The positivity in the squad shines from everyone – that has been a big change. And it’s the way we play as well. We are the best team when we go on the pitch now, when last season we could lose a game and struggle after 70 minutes.

I was part of five in a row and for me it was quite big to be a part of that. If I were to be a part of the 100th trophy that would be something I’d always remember. It would big to achieve that.

The shift in culture has had a massive impact on the team, who are now lining up against some of the best teams in Europe in Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach and are unbeaten in domestic football this season.

Sviatchenko had his first taste of Champions League this season along with a number of his team mates who will look to progress in the competitions from the group stages in the coming years.

Celtic are in action at 3pm today (Sunday) against Aberdeen in the League Cup final at Hampden Park.