Gustaf Lagerbielke makes his return to Celtic Park tonight.
The Swedish defender joined the club from Elfsborg in 2023, one of several signings from the first transfer window of Brendan Rodgers’ second spell to struggle in making an impact.
After starting a few games in his opening months, Lagerbielke faded into the background and was no longer in the first-team picture by January.
The opportunity to move to Lecce in Italy came on loan in January, and despite a willingness from the player, the club blocked the move due to injury concerns.
Lagerbielke played 12 minutes of football from then until the end of the season. He’s back playing now though, and will make his return to Celtic Park in the colours of Braga in the Europa League.
Gustaf Lagerbielke on his spell at Celtic
Lagerbielke is looking to break back into the Sweden squad at Braga, having spent last season on loan at Dutch side FC Twente.
He will mostly be remembered for his two matches against Feyenoord in the Champions League – being sent off in Rotterdam, before scoring the winner in the return match in Glasgow.Speaking ahead of his return to Celtic Park, the defender offered his reflection on his spell at the Scottish champions.
He said: “I think if I summarise the two years, I would say that I learned a lot. Both what it means to be part of a big club like Celtic, and a lot of football stuff.
“Then also in life, moving to another country and meeting new people and all of that. Then why it didn’t work out, I would say it depends what you mean. During my season when I played we won two titles. I met some incredible people and I learned a lot. I would say it was successful.
“It was a very big moment, that’s for sure. It’s difficult to rank them but it was a very special night. Also winning the titles. Those were the biggest highlights.”
Where are the other failed signings from Celtic’s 2023 transfer window?
Lagerbielke wasn’t the only player brought to Parkhead in the 2023 window to not end up being a success.
Maik Nawrocki was another centre back signing that didn’t work out. He is still contracted to Celtic, and is yet to appear for Hannover 96, where he is currently on loan.
Odin Thiago Holm and Luis Palma are also both currently out on loan, at LAFC and Lech Poznan respectively. The former is barely playing, whilst Palma was sent off for a horror tackle which now sees him suspended.
And remember Nat Phillips? The English defender is now at West Brom, for whom he scored an own goal in last week’s draw against Leicester. Some things never change.