Celtic defender Mikael Lustig out for four months

Mikael Lustig is facing four months on the sidelines following a double hip operation. Picture: PA

CELTIC’S smooth progress in the league to date risks being interrupted by the absence of Mikael Lustig, who manager Neil Lennon yesterday confirmed will be absent for between three and four months after a double hip injury.

The Swede has been a mainstay this season and was one of the players who distinguished themselves in Celtic’s Champions League campaign. Lennon revealed that the right-back has been playing through the pain barrier for several months and with Celtic seven points clear at the top of the Premiership table, and due to play bottom side Hearts this afternoon, the decision was made for Lustig to undergo surgery, in the hope of having him back in time for the end of the season.

“Mika’s had a double hip operation,” explained Lennon. “It needed a bit more work than first expected and he’ll be out for three to four months. The procedure was successful. He’s had both sides done.

“It just shows how good he’s been. There was restriction, he found it difficult to play Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday. So we knew that this day would come.