Mikael Lustig relaxed ahead of semi-final huddle team-talk

With club captain Scott Brown set to miss Sunday’s League Cup semi-final meeting against Hearts, Swedish international Mikael Lustig is set to lead Celtic out at Murrayfield.

The full-back, who represented his country in the summer at the World Cup, has played a key part in the Hoops’ recent successes under Brendan Rodgers, after joining from Rosenborg back in 2012.

The 31-year-old has made over 150 appearances for the club during his six-year stay at Celtic Park, cementing his position as a fans favourite during that time.

Despite a poor start to the season for Rodgers’ side, where they were defeated by Hearts at Tynecastle, things have picked up in recent months, with the Hoops now six points off Craig Levein’s side with a game in hand.

However ahead of the semi-final tie on Sunday, Lustig, talking to the Evening Times, spoke about the responsibility he will face leading the side out, revealing he may have a few ‘Scottish’ words for his team-mates prior to kick off.

I try to have my own message because everyone is different. I don’t try to be someone else, just me, whether I have the armband or not.

But it’s always an honour to captain this team and I’ll think before the game about what to say in the huddle. But it’s not like I’m standing there for a minute or so. You just need small words, usually you don’t need to say that much because everyone knows it’s a really important game and we need to be up for it.